Andre,
If you can live without the ozone (can motors vs. Pullmor's), WbB made these in Rock Island and other liveries to boot. I have a set (I won't say what road name 'cuz I like to keep that a secret ), they're really nice. And they're still available at some dealers, for about the same price you missed out on.
"If you can live without the ozone..."
You raise an interesting point there, Paul.
In my mental deliberations during those times I entertained the thought of doing 3-rail again, I was able to distill many aspects of my "Givens n' Druthers". One conclusion I came to is that I will likely need to eventually turn to more modern traditional-sized offerings in order to have some of the motive power that I would like to have. Mainly, two areas:
* Switchers: Given my layout's "theme" I see a definite need for a switcher (or switchers) that will blend-in (proportionally) with Lionel's cast and stamped frame FA's, their Baldwin Hudson's, and Berk-boiler locomotives. Likely candidates for this role would be either the Marx "1998" Alco switcher, or an RMT Bang. Between the two, aesthetically, a notable advantage goes to the Bang. However, availability and price point causes me to look at, and seriously consider, Marx.
* EMD car bodies: I concluded that I am willing to go with Rail King's "stubby" F3's so I can have the EMD car body look, and thus avoid the overpowering size (in comparison to the other motive power) of the Lionel F3's.
Taking it on the nose would be GP7's and Alco's RS series. Just no way to have those without dwarfing the above mentioned engines.
So, as you can see, I've already made mental allowances for select "recent manufacture" traditional-sized engines such as the RMT Bang, and the Rail King stubby F3's. Perhaps later (when "luxury" status is reached), perhaps even a Rail King EMD E-unit. Didn't MTH also make an RK Alco PA?
WbB FA's could possibly be included among those mentioned, but frankly, I'd rather utilize Lionel's FA offerings, either in factory paint (like the Rock Island's I missed), or by picking up a non-KC line version (Erie, or silver 2023's) that has "issues", fix 'em, then repaint 'em into a "KC friendly" paint scheme. True Postwar Lionel, Marx, and others, really is a strong drawing card for me. I just like 'em. Can't explain, just do.
Thus, I see the RMT Bang, the RK stubby F3's, etc, as "evil neccessities" to accomplish my "Givens n' Druthers". (WbB would definitely be a "luxury" status purchase.) However, the backbone of the roster will be Lionel Postwar locomotives.
Curiously, I'm not nearly as "anal" about the rolling stock. Pretty much open season on anything traditional-sized that looks good to my eyes, will blend proportionally with 6464 boxcars, as well as being appropriate for my era choice.
All fer now!
Andre