I don't use advance, but I prefer to use recharable batteries. My gordon (regular size Tomy) made nasty sounds one train show and couldn't (and I mean couldn't) climb the incline we had on the layout. Edward had to push him up every time, but after a while Henry took the train over. As for repairs, No cogs were broke, but I had to make his wheels non freerolling in order for him to run normally on the inclines, and haven't had a problem since. So (if you want to) you should take a look inside to see what's going on. This line is easy to figure out after you've done it once or twice. Could be a really dirty cog, to an absolutely destroyed one. And it will get worse. As far as rubber tyres go, I don't know.
Proud owner of Tomy/Plarail trains. 