I have Santa Fe Trainmaster #8157which I bought used a while back.
I have oiled and greased it everything is clean. 1 if the moters struggle and sparks where the brushes contact the armature.
Does it need a cleaning or should I replace the brushes.
The brushes sit a little low in the brush plate, about 1 mm.
Thanks for any help. 
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the spring on the left side is not applying pressure on the brush. should be installed like the one on the right.
Sharp eye Judd 
If that doesn't solve the problem then you may want to open up the motor and clean the armiture on the motor.
Thank you so look much, that was it EAGLE EYE. Runs like it should now, thx again
Judd: that's a very good call.
Jushavnfun: Having the engine on your workbench with the shell off is half the battle. I would go ahead and remove those two black phillips head screws, lift off the brush plate assembly, and wipe down the commutator with track cleaner until the copper is nice and shiny. No need to use an abrasive, just clean it as well as you can with track cleaner. If you've had sparking, there could be some carbon buildup that you'd want to get rid of. If it's really gummy, use a standard pencil eraser to get rid of the crud, then get rid of the eraser crumbs with your track cleaner.
Also, if you have new brushes, you could put them in at that point. If you don't have any on hand, you should be all set.
I believe Judd's observation is the key to everything.
Steven J. Serenska
Also: Make sure that, if the brushes have grooves, they're installed with the springs pressing down into the grooves! 
Mitch
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