Lyd how in heavens name did you bend track pins in ply. Did you use a club hammer? I always push mine in with the end of some pliers but................. I only use Gaugemaster pins, very sharp with a perfectly flat head, like me.
I run everything. Model locos are not really an investment unless you never take them out of the box and keep the box sealed in clingfilm or similar and out of the sunlight. What is the point of that. Need to be pretty rare to be worth more than you paid. Buy a painting if you want a profit.
Wouldn't have thought it matters. Will it fit either way. I just googled it and looked at some photos. In one you can see the edge of the motor through the cab window. The fan is at the same end. Why not try it and have a look for yourself.