As batteries corrode and will lose charge over time, potentially harming your engine if powered up without a battery change, a battery replacement is a better bet. J and W Electronics offers the original, safe BCR (Battery Component Replacement ) at a reasonable price. Replacement is easy: pull your old battery, plug in the 9 volt BCR, and place on the track powered to at least 10 volts. Let the engine sit for 1 minute, and you're ready to run. BCR's last a lifetime, so you don't have to worry about "frying "your board if you don't run the engine for years or having to pull the shell to check / change batteries. Go to JandWElectronics@yahoo.com to order.
Happy railroading!!