It is over forty years since I used a soldering iron!
. . .
I need to: * overhaul my tool box and replace/add as necessary
. . .
* make a shopping list for a project to introduce automation to a model railway diorama.
If overhauling your toolbox includes buying a soldering iron, it's possible to do that very cheaply. Many here could point you to excellent soldering stations, but for my money, and level of activity, it's hard to beat this $10
Radioshack 15 Watt iron from Amazon.
10 years ago, the Radio Shack tips didn't last, but the present ones do (even after having been left on overnight--don't ask me how I know). The tips are replaceable with those for the well-regarded Hakko line
available here. (Those tips include a quite fine one suitable for larger SMD parts if you should decide to attempt them).
For hobby use, 60/40 lead solder is by far preferable to the lead-free (which melts at a higher temperature).
Perhaps the most important thing for older eyes is light and magnification. I use a headlamp and Dollar Store reading glasses--3X, or 4X or 5X if I can find them.
I probably make several hundred to a thousand+ solder joints in a year, and this gear works for me.