Nessmuck posted:Haven’t dipped my toes in Tin Plate yet...... How and where does one starting looking ? What to stay away from...all that good stuff. Thanks
Ooh now there is a rabbit hole in the making LOL!
Depends a LOT on why you want to acquire tinplate and what you intend it to evolve into ?
Me personally , I collect tinplate trains for toy value and appeal , and love diversity, collecting from any country, any manufacturer,and any time period from the 1800's up to the late 1960's and in my case 90% Clockwork ( or wind-up as you guys say)
There are some collectors who will spend their whole lives looking for just one thing ... thats how diverse it is 
Some will collect for rarity and monetary value, others will cherish a rusty heap of crap ( like me lol)
Others love the challenge of bringing something back to its former glory ( this is not usually the way to improve on investment as repaints etc command less than originals in 99% of the cases) but they do it because it brings them the pleasure and challenge .
but Golden Rule , buy what you like and what you can afford .. That way you will always enjoy your collecting
