Dead trains... why? how? help...

Hi Blue Plastic Tracks forum! I've been a keen observer of this website for many years but finally decided to make the plunge and join. I've got a few issues with my tomy trains! and thought that there'd be no better place to find assistance than here.

I've been building a big layout to run my trains and road vehicles on after years spent in storage, only to find out that... none of them work (initially for some, at least). I spent some time replacing batteries and even tried a few somewhat brutal methods like gently tapping them, and thankfully a good few of my childhood trains yawned, stretched, and eased themselves back to life. I bought out my road vehicles last night with a fresh pack of AAA's (and AA's) ready to test them out on the road track I'd put together, but unlike the trains, I was unable to bring any of them back to life. I'm not sure what spending 5 years in a box did to them...



I'm a little desperate for a solution because I'd like to film a video with them by the end of this week, but I don't want to go to the effort of taking them apart and fiddling around with their internals since I don't really have access to new parts, nor do I have a means of fixing them available to me at the moment. Forum, what do you recommend? Contact cleaner? I'll try anything...

Thanks in advance 

Well the way i bring some engines back alive is by waking them up using a dc power supply but if you check trackmaster customs youtube channel there is an alternative method.

here are some video(s) from trackmaster customs on the issue 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=N5harvO8vLk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=98YC7OGh3EE

Put a greasy battery in, then try firmly tapping on its underside with a screwdriver while it’s in the on position, then turn it on its side and leave it on and alone.
Come back later and revisit it and tap its underside again.
You could also try jump starting it with a 9 volt.

Any method of applying an over-voltage, like the USB hack, has a fair chance of waking up a reluctant motor.  We know that you can make a nominal 1.5V motor run super-fast by giving it 3V, or even 9V without any immediate sign of distress. Certainly a quick shock of extra volts never seems to do any damage, and often does the trick.

As an aside I bought a Motor Tomica vehicle recently, and when I switched it on I thought it sounded a bit lively.  It turns out that the seller had fitted it with a Kodak 27A battery which is nearly the same length but a bit slimmer than the LR1 battery that should be used.  The 27A is 12V!  I think I can see a miniature Vin Diesel at the wheel.

[Super]

I agree with all the selections above. What I generally go to is a rap with the butt end of a screwdriver right on the motor with switch on. Not a gentile rap, one that is firm. If that doesn't work I go with a 9 volt battery to try and shock the battery to life. Careful with this method and jut do quick connections as you don't want to take a chance hurting the motor but at this point the motors not working so why not take the chance. Let us know how it goes Broco and BTW...welcome to the BPT community, glad to have ya. 👍

"I think I can see a miniature Vin Diesel at the wheel."

That was Gold Jerry, GOLD!