I want to thank all the helpful OGR Forum folks for pointing me to Lionel Warranty Dept. for my issues. I spoke with them today and they are sending me an RA Label (as a few of you suggested they might).
without your help I might have abandoned legacy or spent $350 on a new system (money better spent towards a legacy engine).
I've attached a short video (definitely not TMCC) some of you might like.. it's my first train from Christmas 1955. Runs just like it did in the 8mm home movie (I was only 10 months old at the time).
Happy Holidays, and again a big thanks to you all for your help!