George,
Well, I'll be able to tell you first hand later this afternoon how it went. I have to thank Amazon indirectly for this. Amazon has Sunday delivery through the USPS. At my post office, any other packages that happen to be there on a Sunday or whenever, end up going out with the Amazon stuff. So......yesterday.....on a Sunday.....on a Labor Day weekend.....my engine was delivered. I haven't had a chance to even open the box, but it's sitting here in front of me as I type this and will get to it a bit later.
As for the springs.....yes, if those brushes wear down, at least on mine, they will hit either the tabs or worse.....the commutator. I'm guessing that after the prewar era, maybe that's why they reversed it. And as for why it looks shiny new.......it IS relatively new. It's not Pre War.....it's MTH/Lionel Corp.
Another thing that Albert mentioned to me in my phone conversation last week. He could see why it was a bad puller (from a wheel slip standpoint). The wheels are not only shiny, but not as perpendicular as prewar wheels. He thinks the traction tires will make a big difference. But I will put some of my weights back in there.
We'll see. I'm anxious to take it for a spin (but I'll have to get the shell back on first).
Roger
