I have enjoyed reading through your thread and admiring your exquisite modeling and photography. Even though I am currently a tinplate guy, if I were to get back into scale modeling, On30 would be my choice, having limited space and budget.
I have a few Bachmann On30 pieces from years ago. I always admired their shays and climaxes too. You said they are not making a lot of their On30 offerings any more? I bought mine more than 15 years ago- maybe closer to 20, I think around the time they came out. For the money, they were hard to beat.