OK. I tried the 9volt battery on the wheels, but no response.  While monkeying around with the casing removed, I was able to get the engine to go forward if i manually spun the drive shaft a couple times.  But had to be done each time engine stopped, and would not work for reverse.  I flipped the track cable, and with assistance the train goes forward in opposite direction, still would not go in reverse.  appears i have a dud.

oddly it worked the first day and a half, but since then nothing.  very frustrating.

Joe,
Thanks I will try that too.  Good to exhaust all aspects to diagnose the problem

Yes is DC as noted above.  Powerpack seems ok as we also running accessories on it and it lights up.   If I need to send the loci back, I should send the whole package.  I was hoping to hold the track set up so it wouldn't be missed too much.  Thanks for the input

Got the Thoroughbred RTR HO package for xmas.  set it up and ran fine until evening of 26th.  when issues began, switching to reverse loci would die. inspected track, powerpack - all fine.  loci appeared OK, pulled casing off and nothing out of order.  cleaned track. lubricated loci.  if it sits for a while seems to start ok... until today, now seems will not start foward or reverse.  Any ideas, or did I just get a lemon?