I've finally succumbed to the temptation of the Faller e-train and bought. No track yet but I've tested the loco by applying power to the wheels using a Playmobil controller and it works forwards and reverse, although it's a bit noisy.
I'll buy some track next (has anyone ever tried to make LGB track dual gauge?) and some more realistic carriages and some goods wagons - the goods vans look especially attractive - and maybe a Faller controller as well.