I have two replies to honor in this.
Number 90. Thanks for the information regarding engines. I appreciate any information regarding railroads and how they work. I do wish to clarify the statement I made regarding how engines start. I meant model engines. All I have to go on is what I can see when I start mine. Both of the Lionel's are ES44AC modeled. Two of my three MTH are the same. The Lionel's sound like a burst of high pressure air then the rhythmic diesel chatter that just keeps going then is drowned out by track noise. The MTH 44's make a sort of cat growl noise then the engine noise takes over. Same engine in reality, but different start up noises in model.
Gunrunner
I agree. I won't know where to go with this until after I run more wire and better power the track. Thanks again for the help, as always.