Hmmm, the Gilbert 370 with the link coupler bars was not made with traction tires. Several possibilities, it was a 371 with KC's and traction tires (PullMor), it was a 370 shell on a KC chassis, or the trucks were modified by a prior owner. In any event as a Gilbert collector/operator it does not bother me at all if you modify engines to better suit your own operating preferences. Some operators put can motors in their engines and add electronic reverse units. Some convert them to DCC. Some convert engines to TMCC and Railsounds. Some even cut the engines to stretch them to 10 or 12 coupled engines. All is good, some of these engines become real masterpieces.
I think doing any of these things would make you a dedicated operator.
