Battery power is a good idea but I see two possible problems. The pizza cutter flanges could be a problem depending on what track Sarah is using and if she has any other 2 rail locomotives the battery powered one will short out the railroad and she won’t be able to use her other locomotives.
It is unfortunate (if the locomotive in question has the China Drive) that no one can buy trucks that will convert these locomotives. Most China Drives that I have seen mount the same way then the user would be able to convert to 2 or 3 rail easily but I guess since most 2 Railers deem the Chine Drive truck undesirable there is no more market for it or the manufacturers don’t want folks putting locomotives together from parts.