Brandon - I think you'll find your model is also "convertible" to 3 rail. My MTH 2015 catalog N&W 611 carried item number 22-3571-2. It was listed in the catalog as a 2 rail model (like your J in the 2016 catalog). MTH's 2 rail steam locomotives with the -2 suffix are delivered with scale wheels but have a 2-3 rail switch under the tender and you'll find a package of bolt on 3 rail rollers in the box. Earlier (1990's era) MTH 2 rail steam locomotives had a different electrical setup and were not "convertible". They may not have had split axels.
Based on the catalog illustration the 2016 MTH 611 J is painted in a nice high gloss finish to represent how it looks today. The 2015 model I have has a satin finish. It will be interesting to see what other changes they've made - possibly extended coal boards on the tender???
If I decide to keep the model I'll install pickup wipers on the back of the drivers tires. I've held off doing so as I didn't want to void the warrantee. Hopefully the replacement drawbar will show up and solve some of the electrical issues.
One positive aspect of this for SPF's - for the first time a Pennsy T1 out pulled a N&W J - go figure!
