Losing power while leaving station at 2mph

Is there a section gap there? Help me out Artery!

The main reason for loss of traction (motors) when starting from a station is indeed a loss of pilot light - but it's not the only reason ;D ;D

There are usually two main causes for a loss of pilot light in this scenario - the first has already been mentioned (passengers leaning on the doors). The second cause is where there is a gap in the current rails (section gap not really being of any relevance); as the train's shoes pick up the current rails again at slow speed, the resulting arc which sometimes occurs cause's the train to "lurch" - which in turn, cause's a loss of pilot light (the train door interlocks are sensitive things you see :.

In both these cases, moving the CTBC to the 'Off & Release' position will usually bring back the pilot light (on C & D stocks at least).

Another candidate, though less likely, are the overloads. I'm not that technically minded, but I do know that it's to do with the traction current supply to the motors - if there's an overload, the contacts break, and we lose power. Pressing the 'Overload Reset' button is the cure in this case. Again the CTBC will more than likely have returned to the 'Off & Release' position as it's normally the first reaction the driver will make in response to any problem - hence the impression of a brief lack of motoring.