I just laid down a piece of flex track with alligator clips to the tracks.  Put the Acela power car on, flipped the switch and same thing ... lights flicker and either go out or it may start moving.  Again, other engines immediately work on this track.

After googling a Model Railroading Magazine article on how to clean wheels, I put power to the wheels with alcohol and cotton swabs without the swab (just the cotton sticks).  I just kept cutting the stick shorter after it got dirty.  One Q-tip per truck.  It is now circling the track with all 5 cars. 

Thanks.  It seems like maybe the lube was all over the wheels (Idunno). 

It is less than a week old.  If it's the track, why do other trains run well and this one doesn't?

How do I clean the trucks?  By inspection, they look clean and well lubed.

I've tried the power car on three different tracks with the same results.  I don't think its the track.

Problem ... when I put power to the track the lights will come on briefly then go out and the engine will not run.  If I give the engine a little push down it'll start to move, but has trouble keeping a constant flow of power.

The truck poles (contacts) seem to be touching the contacts on the engine well with a little bounce.  Also, if I put power to the contacts the wheels turn.  Any tips on how to get power thru the trucks consistently.