John Bull won't stay connected to engine

[murphyg27]

I have an John Bull set which has been a constant source of frustration any time I attempt to use it. Without even being connected to the cars any time I attempt to use it the engine keeps being disconnected and then promptly derails.
Everything looks good until you try to use it.
Since this item has never successfully made it around my track it obviously has had little use, there should be some sort of work around to make this thing operational I just don't know what it is. Obviously out of warranty for a long time, I am sick of looking at it knowing it cannot be used.
So if you have a work around to make it useable I would love to hear it.
I have posted this here in the past without a response and called a few times without a call back or the courtesy of a response. So needless to say I am not a happy customer
One last thing I do not have this problem with any other engines and yes I have a few of the others Clinton, Prussia etc. Thanks 

[jonathan]

Murph,

First, these smallish, historical trainsets were really meant to be display models more than regular runners. They are very light weight and sensitive to even the most unperceivable imperfection in the track work.

So what can be done?  I would start by temporarily taping some weight, like coins, to the top of the locomotive.  Then try running it around your circle of track.  If this helps, great, but hiding weight underneath or inside the locomotive is going to be a challenge.

Also, really clean the driver wheels, perhaps with some alcohol and q-tips.  Electrical contact is going to be an issue for small locos with short wheelbases.

Next, you need to thoroughly inspect the cars.  There may be some reason why the trucks/wheels are creating unnecessary drag.  Could be anything, like a wheelset not properly seated in its journals (an example). Perhaps a truck or coupler is mounted crooked and need to be straightened. I add weight to my rolling stock for better tracking... not too much...

With something this small, you're really going to have to get in close with a magnifier to find the culprit.

Regards,

Jonathan