I recently found my old train. It hasn't been run in about 25 years. It seems to work but not great. I've gotta get some new track anyway because I don't have enough to do anything with. My question is, could the old track be too tarnished for it to make a good connection? Also, is there anything else I should do before running it since it's been sitting up that long? I've had this thing forever and don't want it torn up, but me and the old man had alot of fun with this thing and I've got a 5 year old who I think would enjoy it as well. I just don't know that much about model trains.
Clean the locomotive and lube it (but not too much). Use an eraser or track cleaning solution on an old rag for the track.
Be sure that the lubricant is plastic-compatible, too.
If the old track is brass, you'd probably be better off just replacing it.
Go to Staples and get some gum erasers. They will clean the tarnish off your old trackage. Give your engine a lube, following the above advice. As the Bach-man says, Have fun!