All connections are good and both contacts connecting with track.
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How many middle rail contact rollers are on the engine?
One in front and one in the back. It's a long engine. Same era Santa Fe has no issues. Sets have not been set up since 1977. They were my dad's.
If this is the original Lionel Corporation 2321 Lackawanna from 1954 time-frame, I still think you have an issue with one pickup not providing power at the e-unit solder joint. Lionel had an issue with this first FM in that the wire they used from the power pickups to the e-unit were under-sized. They had a problem where a short could actually burn through the wiring on these and the fix was installation of heavier gauge wire.
Take an ohm meter and one at a time, check continuity from from a pickup roller to the solder lug on the e-unit; while doing this also flex the wire along its length looking for internal wire breaks.
Also; you commented it stalls going over any turnout on both tracks; what type of turnouts are you using specifically?
Yes he started buying them in 1952. I'll check that. Most of wiring on other things had insulation cracking off. Didn't want to get into engines though. Gonna find train shop in 17601 zip who can work on them.
A trained technician is probably the best way to go. Not only can they fix any wiring issue they will be able to service the whole engine, grease, oil as well as the E-unit.
Any engine going over a switch will feel a little rumble, especially post war switches. With bad wiring as "D&H65" stated above it is not hard to see how the E-unit could be made to cycle.
Speaking of E-units, it might not be a bad idea to invest in a new solid state 10 Amp model from Dallie Electronics. Could save you a lot of heart ache.
