Original Or New Reproduction?

  I would take the original .  If there is electronics in the reproduction they might fail in a few years.

@Dwayne B I would also buy the original. I enjoy the nostalgic value of original tinplate and the thought that these toys have survived 80 some years of play. To clarify my position, I only run conventional trains. I’ve never been interested in all the crew talk, startup sequences and other features. I do have some reproductions such as older Williams 408E and 381E with original Lionel BAL motors. Be sure to post some pics if you pull the trigger and make the purchase.

Original.

One of the primary appeals of SG to me is AGE.  I appreciate old works of engineering and mechanics:  trains, tractors, trucks/cars, machinery, weapons, tools, toys.  I value survivors, pieces that have stood the test of time and avoided the natural result of a throw-away society.  My pickup is a '69 Chevy.  My tractors are '47, '49, and '51 models; the newest implement dates from the '60s.  A couple of my SG pieces are a century old.  That thought is profoundly satisfying to me.  I am not afflicted with novelitis, and so new does not impress me.  Lots of stuff is new, but to be a century old and still running better than my Legacy engine:  that impresses me.

YMMV, and I would tell anyone else to like.  But give me the original any day.

Buy the original. It will be running long after all this electronic  stuff quits.  Plus parts will be available for it.

All of my tinplate--I have a lot of it in O gauge only--is reproduction. Love the stuff, as do most all the folks, young and old, who visit. I'm just partial to bright, clean, colorful, and in pristine condition.

Original. The reproduction stuff is nice, but to me doesn’t have the character of the originals

Love these type of questions so I am going to throw in my 2 cents.  Even with inflation, it is still only worth 2 cents.

An original Blue Comet in C5 condition or a fairly new, bright and shiny reproduction Blue Comet.  Like many have stated, I would probably go for the original.  Not because of the electronics but because of the nostalgia.  This was not the run of the mill 8E set with a couple of cars.  I am not knocking the 8E set so please do not take it that way.  This was a set, when produced, only certain people could afford.  This set was, still is and will be well into the future a prized set to own.  I personally have the reproduction set and I am very pleased with it.  Do I worry about the electronics failing me in the future?  Absolutely not.  I will cross that bridge when I get there.  Meanwhile, I do load up that smoke unit and blow that whistle to my hearts content.  Some will say that is the main reason for getting the new set.  Not only is it bright and shiny but it can also do this, that and the other thing.  They are not wrong in their thinking.  But for a set like this, to be able to have the original, would be awesome.  Anytime I am looking or operating the originals, I think what it must have been like for someone to have unboxed that train oh so many years ago.  The pride and excitement they must have felt to be able to own such a train.  Then I think about me, in the here and now, a bazillion years after this toy as originally built with the pride and excitement of unboxing/unwrapping it running it for the very first time, again.

My collection is a combination of more new than old.  I am a cheap ole *******, that’s why my first wife left me, Thank God!  Needless to say, the new is more along the lines of what I am willing to pay.  Given the opportunity to get the original for a good price, I will not pass it up.  

@palallin posted:

Original.

One of the primary appeals of SG to me is AGE.  I appreciate old works of engineering and mechanics:  trains, tractors, trucks/cars, machinery, weapons, tools, toys.  I value survivors, pieces that have stood the test of time and avoided the natural result of a throw-away society.

A couple of my SG pieces are a century old.  That thought is profoundly satisfying to me.  I am not afflicted with novelitis, and so new does not impress me.  Lots of stuff is new, but to be a century old and still running better than my Legacy engine:  that impresses me.

Very well said; I couldn't agree more. 👍

Mark in Oregon

When it comes to tinplate, for all the reasons already mentioned, I always go for the original, but it has to be in C-6 or better condition. These trains and accessories are survivors from a bygone era, when toys were made here in the USA. I run just about every one of my prewar trains, and they are always the favorites of my visitors, especially when I tell them how old they are. I think the reproductions are beautiful and well-done, but I prefer the originals.

Although we're obviously in the minority, I'm with Allan Miller on this one... Shiny, now and bright!

Plus with new repros, I get remote control, nice smoke, sound and slow-running!

I am also with Allan: shiny and bright, but I prefer the traditional BAL motors. I could not afford the originals in like new condition with original boxes!

I have both and love them for the above mentioned reasons.  Recently, one of my sons, who is very tech aware, came over and I ran a new legacy engine. He said it was very nice but he liked the “old stuff” better, especially the original 251E with passenger cars.  It has been well used but not abused and is a survivor.

I'll take the reproductions, please. The colors and condition make it feel like you're the kid getting the original out for the 1st time.

I appreciate originals a great deal, and would love to have them, but, for me as an operator, "like new" is more appealing than "well used"

Reproduction.  I own and have owned a lot of STD gauge.  All of it has been repro.  It looks better, it has sounds, and smoke.  Also, it's a fraction of the cost.

If it is going on “the shelf” the original.

If it is going to heavy operation, the reproduction.

Larry

@MikeH posted:

Reproduction.  I own and have owned a lot of STD gauge.  All of it has been repro.

1. It looks better,

2. it has sounds,

3. and smoke.

4. Also, it's a fraction of the cost.

That works for you, and that's great.

Having been involved with SG only since this April of this year, my opinions are utterly worthless, but having said that:  

1. Really?

2. ...not a fan of "sounds"...

3. ...or smoke. (Most of my 3 rail O scale steamers have both these features, but I just don't use 'em.)

4. I'm finding there are deals to be had while looking for original pieces.

Like pretty much everything related to model trains (in any gauge or scale), it's all objective.

Mark in (wet today) Oregon  

I remember back when the Standard Gauge State Sets (both brown and green) and the brass "Old #7" steamer were introduced under the Lionel Classics brand. My Dad bought them all because he couldn't afford the prewar originals. Up until these purchases, everything in his prewar collection was original and in C-6 or better condition. The word "reproduction" was taboo for him, so he referred to his new Lionel Classics acquisitions as "re-issues." His reasoning for using that term was, unlike the tinplate trains reproduced by Williams, they had name plates and boxes that said "Lionel."

If it were me would go for the original.

I’m glad you’ve asked the Question, old original, or new with electronics. Although I do not run standard gauge, I would buy both, the old for a nice shelf display, the new one for colors, bright and shiny and command control…. I run Lionel Legacy system and I love it.  I like the standard gauge trains built under the Richard Kughn Era. If you buy both offerings, you can resell the one you do not like later. Let us see your set or sets when you make your final decision. Happy Railroading Everyone

You should complete your profile information so that we could know more about you and where your from, what state you live in, and your interest in the hobby of model trains. It looks like you’ve been a member since 2016, that’s great. Great to see you are an active member.