I also have the 3rd Rail ToT and at the time could not justify ordering the MTH version. However, as you and others have mentioned, MTH wins out on the running and sound abilities. I will be studying your pictures of the engines and the passenger cars before I decide on trying to grab a MTH set as well.
One day I do want to set up a Tot, AeroTrain, and Futurliner display with throngs of people checking these trains out. I really get into what these represented at a time when there was so much excitement about the future.
Thanks for the review.