I have 2 old time 4-4-0’s, one Rivarossi and a Pocher. Both I bought used. The Rivarossi runs erratically slowing in different sections of the track and sometimes stopping completely. It won’t move again without a push. The Pocher however runs flawlessly and I can stop and start on any section of track. What’s with that ? Thanks, Marty
The old-time 4-4-0s have very short space between pick-ups and can easily get stuck in turnouts. What some people do is to create pick-up in the tender to increase the electrical contact. Look at this photo essay.
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/locomotives/wipers/
Have you cleaned the wheels and track? If the locomotive is one with the motor in the tender, all of the electrical pickup is from the tender wheels and they will need to be cleaned.
The track is clean but I never checked the wheels. Thanks, Marty
You should give the track a good check any of the rails have sliped out of the joiners
If the flanges are large, is the model being lifted away from contact with the rails? Just a thought.