On this subject LL . I have this same exact D. L. & W. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Life-Like-...895769?hash=item445b33c5d9:g:o8kAAOSwFiZext4t and it barely moves , I received it in a trade long ago. However my other LL - LIFELIKE Locomotives run well even my Mehano made LIFELIKE SD45 and much better than my LIFELIKE D. L. & W. E8 A. Tom
The original price tag is on this E unit. At the time these were produced they were about the best thing you could buy. I have several Life Like E units Analog DC and they still run smooth. Yes you can convert them to DCC but you'll have to isolate the motor. A $30.00 price tag today isn't a bad price. As long as it hasn't seen much run time. I hope that helps.