Just got back from the Mad City Train Show.  Was crowded as usual, lots of young 20-30 people buying lots of stuff.  Was interesting to watch and listen. One layout had an Silver Streak train set including the E5 on the front. First one I've seen in the wild. Stopped and took some pictures from lots of angles. Had several younger people stop and ask questions and discuss the SS and engine, then got a discussion going with one of the people that was running the layout. Everything from track laying to the newest DCC stuff.  Was fun to listen to. Lots of ideas and good stuff. 

Most modern freight cars, except well cars, have 36 inch wheel.

If its the one in the middle of the car body,  its supposed to be open

Soundtraxx has the list on their website   https://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/images/bachmann/pdf/bachmann_ho_440_sv.pdf.  Dont know how to make it live.

The DH123 is an old decoder.  No longer produced.  The decoder manual states it does run analog, but will take a lot of volts to get moving.  Was not put in Bachmann locomotives as a stock decoder.  Bachmann used a modified Lenz decoder and a modified Soundtraxx decoder.  Some Spectrum steam came with full Soundtraxx.

F8 mutes and unmutes the sound on a lot of sound decoders.  Dont think unmute is a word but oh well.

Clean the tracks also. Is always helps.

How bout a O5A 4-8-4 for the Cb&Q? 

What is a slight grade?  How many cars? Are they weighted correctly?  Straight grade or curved?  Are the cars free rolling?  All of these things will affect the pulling ability of the locomotive.

The  Tsunami 2 is a very good decoder.  I have several in Bachmann steam.  If there arent holes in the bottom of the tender, have drilled small holes in the coal load.  I use the deep bass speaker and it sounds great.  The Economy decoders work great as well.   

According to the Bachmann catalog,  the L&N only has dual headlights, as per prototype.  The CB&Q says has headlights and Mars light per prototype.   So the L&N might not be equipped with one.