From time to time you see your Model Railroad train start running slowly or just not going at the speed it was supposed to go. This can happen in just a spot in the track or throughout the whole model train layout.
It can be annoying and frustrating and there can be a few reasons for that, so let's look at them and see what you can do about it.
Your model train locomotive
One of the reasons is that simply your locomotive is not good and it might need repairing.
If your train is too long, or too loaded, you will have to consider if your locomotive has enough power to run your model train.
The Model Railroad Power Pack/Transformer
Another reason might be that the power pack does not provide enough energy for your model railroad setup. If you have a very long track for your model train track then the power provided by the pack won't simply hold up to it. In this case you can either buy a more powerful transformer or just change the model train layout.
When there is voltage drops in some spots there are a couple of options to deal with it. One is that you probably need to tighten some loose joiners. These can cause some serious drops in voltage and greatly reduce your power stability in the track. You can also try to add a second set of wires to the troubled area.
Also look out for the tracks to see if they're clean. A dirty model railroad track will almost surely reduce the power that gets into the locomotive or just slow down the train. In either case clean the track and everything that's enables or affect the train movement.
The Model Train Track conditions
Cleaning is really more important that it might seem at first sight. For a continuous good operation have always your track and wheels well cleaned. By doing that you're half away of having a smooth model train operation.
At times the train just slows down in some specific segments. This is usually a sign that you might have a wiring problem in that section or that it just needs a good clean.