I set up a new Thomas Large Scale set for the grandchildren today.  The power terminal connector will not make contact with the track.  I tested the connection by placing the terminal upside down on top of the rails, there is power to the terminals. I cleaned the contact point on the track and connector terminals, pressed the terminals against the track, twisted the terminals flatter to make contact, none of which helped.

Is there a better available connector.  I know I can cut the plastic between the ties and use rail clamps, but I do not want to damage the track in case I have to return the set.

P.S. I am a retired residential electrician and municipal electrical inspector.  I have been building and running G Scale trains for five years, but I can not figure this out.

I bought a new 8 wheeler <30 days ago.  It ran fine then.  I disassembled it, and painted and detailed it, reassembled it and it worked fine.  A second tear down to glue some broken pieces and back on.  It ran okay, but would seem to drag then pull again. Now it will not work at all.

The track is clean.  I lubed it per owner's manual after the first 15 minutes of testing it out of the box.  Testing with power lead directly to the drivers produces nothing.

An inspection under the cover between the drivers the only thing out of order was an extra cover screw stuck to the motor.

Anyone have any suggestions?