Oh, boy. I have a whole lot of #1 gauge. We tried Lionel G early on.
The last "powered" chassis were dug out and given away this past summer.
Turd? Oh, yes.
The second car powers it? Strange.
Drivers are bad, gunk up quickly. Yours have brushes that rub on the back of the tires?
Q-tips and lighter fluid.
Is there a plug between second car and locomotive?