I advise you to clean the tops of the rails of your tracks before you try to use them, because the amount of surface oxidation that can interfere with train operation is not visible to the unaided eye. Either steel or brass sitting around for 25 years, even in a sealed container, will almost certainly have a bit of oxidation on its surface.
Just get a piece of tightly woven cloth, such as a piece of an old sheet, put a little mineral spirits on it, and rub the tops of the rails with it. Mineral spirits makes a better cleaning solution than something like alcohol, because it leaves the metal in a condition that is slower to oxidize again. Keep cleaning the top surface of the rails until the cloth looks clean when it comes off the rails.
Then, clean the surfaces of the locomotive wheels what come in contact with the rails, so that they can pick up the electric current to turn the motor in your locos.
Just get a piece of tightly woven cloth, such as a piece of an old sheet, put a little mineral spirits on it, and rub the tops of the rails with it. Mineral spirits makes a better cleaning solution than something like alcohol, because it leaves the metal in a condition that is slower to oxidize again. Keep cleaning the top surface of the rails until the cloth looks clean when it comes off the rails.
Then, clean the surfaces of the locomotive wheels what come in contact with the rails, so that they can pick up the electric current to turn the motor in your locos.