Thank you guys, especially Gunrunnerjohn.
What you guys are talking about is WELL above my pay grade!!! As Pete Townsend (The Who) once said in a song: "The simple things in life become complicated".
Bottom line......I won't be attempting any "hotwiring" of the couplers.
I have purchased the below loco on the latest Stout Auction, and this should overcome my front/rear coupler dilemma.
MTH 20-21213-1 NWSC Crane VO 1000 Diesel Engine W/Proto-Sound 3.0
Thank you everyone (especially GRJ) for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Till next time!!!
Peter......Buco Australia.