Pat
You are a master craftsman; good to see your recent work.
Just sort of messing around today.
1: Like most of us, my hearing isn't what it used to be: age and been in too many rock n roll bands, I guess. Anyway, I find that the "bell" and "whistle" sounds are at just the right/wrong frequency to be harsh and annoying. I have turned them down as low as I can and still have them work, but it's not pleasant. I wanted to dampen the sound, so I got out some of these:
...just the right size. I simply removed the body, loosened the speaker, tucked one up under said speaker and re-assembled. Still works, but is much more pleasing to these ears. 
2: The very small (I would think S scale) couplers on the front of my TMCC steamers has always troubled me. I just got some Max Gray couplers so I took one and modified it (original on right):
... to more or less match the Lionel (on left):
Before:
After:
Even though it looks large, the Max Gray is (obviously) "correct" O scale. Now to correct my other locos...
Not much I know, but these little projects were fun and easy...and they worked! 
Mark in Oregon
