This is mainly for the newbies, but if you're acquiring old Lionel trains,
check the tender to see if the foam that insulates the sound board
has disintegrated.  If it has disintegrated and you run it, you'll take
the chance of burning out the board.

I just purchased a Blue Streak Freight set (1972), and while going
through the tender, I found the insulating foam had disintegrated.
I cleaned it up, cut a 2" x 2 & 1/2" piece of poster board & a same
sized piece of 1/8th inch foam and replaced the old insulation.

I hope this helps keep someone from burning up a sound board.....