Cool!any pics or vids?
My collection guidelines are fairly simple. I’m a user and not a collector. I’m Lionel postwar focused and generally collect from that era, although my locos go from 1933 to 2013. And some are not Lionel. I have a range to get a sampling of the construction techniques, features and technology that evolved over the years, and sometimes, just nice looks or a good deal.
Every buy has to be for use, running on the layout. No pure shelf queen. So I buy nice looking items, though not perfect and not unused. When running or to a casual observer they look almost new when I get done with my restoration after buying.
I ususally play a waiting game to get the best value.
I have one particular focus. I bought the Lionel 1950 catalog (birth year for me). and have bought everything in that catalog that interested me, and that’s most everything. I also like lights, smoke, sounds and motion and operating cars.
My most recent buy was the 342/345 culvert loader/unloader accessory, not 1950 of course, but the last big accesory of the Lionel postwar era.