Thanks, I look into the EZ. I don't require a lot but I'm thinking I'm certainly not getting the most out of my loco using analog.

 Happily it's running again and so I guess it was just sluggish. At least that's what I'll chalk it up to. Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

   Thanks for the info.Well, I win dummy of the day. I did in fact have the wires for AC accessories plugged into the track and vice versa with DC. I've corrected that and now it looks like the engine may run. Or at least it makes chugging sounds and moves in kind of jerky motion and it's trying to run. I'm hoping eventually it will lock in and after a few spins around the track be back to normal.
  In light of all this I'm thinking maybe I should break down and get a DCC controller. Any suggestions? Mine is a one locomotive layout on a 4 x4 board so I don't a real expensive controller.

 Well, I was just watching the locomotive after I read your e-mail response and I counted 10 times and then there was a brief moment and then it started up again. I'm using Railpower 1370 for my power source.
   Thanks for your prompt response. I did go ahead and clean the tracks but it didn't seem to make much of a difference.

 I'm going to ask this even though it's probably a simple and perhaps a silly question -- Why is my engine refusing to run? Now first let me say I haven't run it in a while. Say, several weeks, more than a month. Also I'm using analog to run it. When I turn on the power pack, (do they still call them that?) the head light comes on and blinks for a while then stops. Depending on how high I have the throttle up, it may stay on for a while longer. There is no sound of any kind and in the past I at least got that when I started it up.
   Here's the exact model number so you guys will know the engine I'm talking about. this is the info right off the box -- "HO" Baldwin Modern 4-4-0 Loco (DCC sound), Southern, #3858.
     Suggestions appreciated. It may be a matter of lubrication or cleaning the track. If it's lubrication then I'm going to need to consult the diagram of the locomotive since I'm not exactly a seasoned hobbyist when it comes to maintenance .
    Thanks for your time and attention.