The exterior looks very nice. Cloth covered wiring can rot over time. You may look at it and think it is OK. If it is hard to the touch, it is likely rotted. Then, the movement of the train will cause a short where the wire goes over the frame. If you try to move the wire away from the frame, it will begin to crumble if it is really bad. C.W. gives good advice; using reproduction cloth covered wire will preserve the original condition of the engine. It is not hard to rewire them if you remove one wire at a time and replace it with the same length as you go. I did a Lionel, but did not have the repro wire. I probably need to procure some and do that job over...
George
