Fastrack rail

Everybody is a rookie at some point. It's probably not helping the cause. I would clean it off as best I can and see if things improve.

Do you wire the tracks together? Or just rely on the fit?

No. Just the fit.   The fit was good on all the joints.  I have this SANTA FE 3465 Junior Hudson, and I noticed it leaking, but those rails were just filthy from soot or ... But nonetheless the locos stalled out

Yeah I would wipe them down. I used to use Goo-Gone. I hear good things about CRC Electrical Cleaner these days but haven't used it myself. I had some FasTrack a few months ago that was cruddy (rust and dirt). I used a green ScotchBrite pad and Goo-Gone. It got the job done.

Fastrak is know for the pins breaking. Often inside where you can't see it.

Steve

Also, if you have the fastrack on a soft surface or even on a hard surface but not screwed down the pins move enough over time to open up the outside rail "receptacles". Those can be pinched back together. Middle hot pin can be bent toward the outer rail pin ever so slightly to tight that connection up.

Just use a paper towel and some alcohol to clean the rails.  Clean the locomotive wheels and the pickup rollers.  When you run the engines, note any spot where is slows down or stops.  Separate those sections and check the center rail pin.  If it is straight or slightly curved toward the outside rail without the pin, use a pair of pliars to gently bend the pin slightly toward the outside rail with the pin.  Lionel had recommend this to improve contact.  Also when you separate the track sections do not wiggle them back and forth, this will almost insure that you will distort the pins and damage the plastic connectors.  Instead use a small pocket knife and small flat blade screwdriver.  Use the knife to pry the track apart enough that you can insert the screwdrive blade between center and outside rail.  Just twist the screwdriver and the track will pop apart.