I did a search on this topic, and got back a plethora of posts, too many to filter and none seemed to answer my question.
I have O gauge trains, all by Lionel, and my layout is small 4x8. I'm new at this, and don't know much.
Lately some of my trains are running badly. They stop and go, lose power. At first I thought my track had bad connections, but I don't think so now, because some run just fine. I think this is going to be a with the train units and not the track, but could be wrong. They could need more cleaning and or something has worn out.
My track is a oval 4x8, no switches or anything complicated.
Units will idle with sound and lights, but give it the gas it will lurch and shut down.
I bought some contact cleaner and cleaned those roller things on the bottom and that helps, the train will run fine and then revert back after a few laps. I also cleaned the tracks.
Is there anything else I need to do? Do those roller things have to be replaced after a few hours?