I'm trying to setup a small train platform for my grandson. It's HO gauge 3' x 6'. I'm using my old equipment which is over 50 ears old. I can't get the trains to run on the track. I have five engines that I have tried separately but they don't even light. If I take the wires from the transformer and touch them to the engine wheels the trains run. Put them back on the track and they don't run. Tired a second transformer I have. Same result. Held the wire directly to the track nothing. Put just to pieces of track end to end and put the wire to the track nothing. Did a continuity check on the track and it was fine. Did a current check on the transformers and it was fine. Cleaned the track and one of the engines wheel with emery cloth nothing. I don't know how to get this going.
I built a small circle track. Two engines run although I think they're slow. One engine ran slow then slowed to a stop like it's battery died and won't run again. I guess neither transformer is great? I'll simplify the track and clean, clean, clean.
If your locos were in storage for an extended period, they probably need to be lubricated. Also check for any lint buildup between the wheels and pickup wipers.
Len
People don't expect automobiles to jump up and hop and run when they've been sitting a long time, but expect Model Trains to run perfectly after no motion for decades. This is a very frequent subject on this forum. Any machine with moving parts will seize up after time in different dimensions.
In reality, every electrical point of contact in everything on your train is likely solidly oxidized at this point. That's not just the track, that's the motor connections, the motor brushes, anything where two electrical items meet are connected. The slow behavior of your engines says poor electrical contact at least one and probably multiple connections between power source and motor. Gummy lubrication should be doing that too, I'll talk about that in a minute.
Emery cloth is the worst thing you can use to clean track and wheels. It creates little scratches and fissures that provide even more surface for oxidation, and miniature canyons to collect dirt. A large pink block pencil eraser is a lot better to use. It is still abrasive but a lot less so Some people use Goo Gone on a rag. I use a specialized Model Railroad cleaning block called a cratex block. I suspect that it might contain a little abrasive, too, but way way less than emery paper, that's for certain.
Also, as has been alluded to, 50 years is a long time to expect lubricants to not become a solid. They all contain volatile solvents which evaporate over time. You probably need to go into the gears and clean every tooth out with a wood toothpick, then re-lubricate with a light grease, sold through model railroad outlets.
3x6 is a very small table to put Trains on. Did that work 50 years ago with the track you had then? I have a feeling when you actually put your curves on the table they are going to be too wide.
Thanks to both of you for your replies. I have two of the trains up and running. I'm gathering supplies and watching youtube so that I can do a full cleaning of all of the engines. It seems that a switch track was my main problem, as soon as I replaced it with a straight track it ran fine. Ill probably be back when I can't get the engines back together. ;D
Please report back