Take an older Rapido car and change one end to a MT-truck coupler assembly.  Then use this car as a "head end" car to connect a knucle loco to a string of Rapido coupler cars OR visa-versa.

I have about 60 $2 bulk Rapido freight cars from 13 yrs ago that I converted to MT magnetic knucle couplers using an MT truck/coupler assembly.  All works fine.
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Do yourself a favor and check out Brooklyn Locomotive Works (BLW) on the net.  They have a terrific selection of locos and freight cars with color pictures and their delivery is very fast coming priority USPS.

I recently bought two new Kato NW2 switchers and these are perfect with new slow speed capability.  Museum quality.

Beware of lower volume retail dealers that might have a stock of older machines of all kinds.  They obviously don't throw out  obsolete stuff.

Check out the Brooklyn Locomotive Works (BLW) for great freight car pictures showing type of coupler on each car & loco..

Think about taking a Rapido coupler car and changing one end to an MT truck coupler assembly.  Using this car as the head end car you can pull Rapido freight cars with a knuckle coupler loco or visa-versa.

Forget it  unless your layout will be housed in a fully weatherproof greenhouse.  The slightest breeze will blow the cars off the track and it will be impossible to keep the track clean enough from general atmospheric dust & dirt, dirt splatter, etc.

I've worked with N-scale in my house for 15 years and know of what I speak. 

I had a replacement Dash 8-40C (straight DC)  that ran for about 15 minutes on my 9-3/4 radius test oval with no apparent trouble before it quit (light on, no motion) and went back to Bachmann.

I've had much trouble with Bachmann diesel locos over the years.  (Not serious hobby quality)  Now i spend the extra money and buy only Atlas or Kato for dependable smooth operation.  Yes, it takes them 60 days to perform service.  They must use one guy up there buried in returned locos.

Check out Brooklyn Locomotive Works for diesel locos with up-to-date mechanisms.  Beware of possibly older models sold elsewhere.  Bachmann needs to date their machine designs.

The answer is yes.  All locos run in the same direction regardless of position on track.  Just place any loco down in either direction on a powered track and see for yourself.