USNDiver
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!

It's wonderful to break out the trains and spread the love of the sound, of the clickety clack as the train goes roundy round.
You were correct in lubing your engine and axles/wheels after years of storage, ALSO you will want to clean your wheels, power pickups and track. That sounds like why you are having to apply full power.
The older trains will suprise you.  l have trains over 100 years old that run as well as when new.  Hopefully your granddaughter might say the same one day if you leave your train to her...

Happy Rails!
dave