Thanks, last night I had 1 out of 4 working somewhat. Today when I got home from work, I took all 4 out. None of these engines have run in least 5 years and some 20 years. Well I started cleaning, oiling and low and behold, I not have 3 out of 4 working.:thumb: The other one I took apart and oiled it but as of right now, only the light comes on. I notices that on the wheels, it looks like there is something wrapped around the wheel that is coming off. I don't know that that is but tomorrow, I will work on it again as at this time I can not afford to purchase new engines.
One thing that often needs attention on old locomotives with open frame motors in the commutator, the ring of electrical contacts on the armature, where the brushes transmit the electrical power into the windings on the armature. You can use a pencil eraser to clean the electrical contacts, and this will often be enough to get an old motor going again.
Electrical contact cleaner (tuner cleaner) can also wash the crud off of the commutator, let the spray dry before you run the motor, as the brushes can spark and the liquid cleaner is flammable.
once the commutator is clean, you can test the locomotive to see if it runs, if it doesn't a set of small jumper cables can be used to feed power directly to the motor, if the motor runs, on jumper wires, but not off the track, you have to check the wheels and other contact points to be sure the contacts are clean, and touch like they should.
bill Nelson