Thanks Gandalf and Big Truck Pete for the welcome, as well as DoubleDAZ and everyone’s thoughts on track size. Lots of great tips, and this site has been a huge help already!
Also, thanks for everyone’s thoughts on full DCS. I think I’ll be glad I went with a MTH DCSRC starter set to get a feel for that system and brand. I plan to find a good hobby or train specific shop in Dallas/Fort Worth to check out Lionel and alternative track/equipment/control systems, in order to get a fair comparison of other brands before I make any further commitments. Decisions, decisions…
Along those lines, I’ll admit it was a bit tough just choosing within the MTH starter set offerings (e.g. Pennsylvania, Union Pacific or similar Steamer set versus the SD70Ace Diesel which I ended up choosing) because of style, equipment era, effects, etc. I ended up grabbing the affordable Williams’ AB (besides brand commitment, set redundancy, and looks) in part to give myself a flavor of other manufacturers.
The track and Z750 arrived late yesterday! So I’ll be getting that maiden run in with the old Lionel engine before the day is out 
Thanks, Paul and John for the Lionel info, and John I really appreciate the screw info. Short, coarse, countersunk is something I can understand. I’m inserting that internal pic of the chassis once more just because of the scrape marks around the base of the rear engine.
Is this normal wear & tear?
And just a couple more 'greenhorn' question on this old engine's couplers. The front one seems to work by pulling down on the plunger just behind the chassis' front valance, is that the correct method? Does this rear one look damaged, and if so is it repairable? They were both sprung open before I messed with them.
I also have no idea how this MTH coupler works...is this a "proto" coupler? Here's a shot of what I believe is a sleeper car as well (these cars really are long compared to the old engine). The cars are a bit nicked up being loose without boxes, but I think a little aluminum polish (not on the paint of course), will brighten them up. The photobucket thumbs should open in a new window, and then if you click the image again it should give pretty high resolution.
Thanks again for all the info guys...it's slowly but surely all sinking in, and sorry for another looong post. I thought it was better to keep some of my greenhorn questions, as I call them, under this one thread for now until I get a bit more up to speed on the forum and the hobby.
Robert
