First never use steel wool around toy trains it gets tangled in their guts. I'll say that before something breaks, I learned that from some who killed an engine with it.
I have a similar issue with the Lionel fas-track version of the 90 degree crossing, and derailment issues with manual O-36 switches. Sounds like a misaligned joint and possibly the roller getting temporary stuck in the engine, moving it would jar it free, oil it? Also I have found carpet can cause alignment issues, not bad ones, but the deeper the carpet the greater the problem. (Old carpet tends to wear into a mix making it easier to see)
Hi Allin,
Thanks for the heads up about the steel wool. Fortunately, I had located my set of hobby files since that post and have been using them. I just wiped the surface I filed on the switch with a damp cloth to pick up any tiny filings. At this point, my various tests indicate that the location of the engine rollers on the long trucks, plus the plastic spot on the cross, and the track curve are the cause of stalls at slow speeds. Interesting you found a similar problem with Lionel track. Yes, carpet can add challenges. Ironically with this regard, I find the MTH track is less problematic.
Tomlinson Run RR
