Folks, this has been an interesting thread for one who's just getting back into a layout after a good number of years offline. As I've tested the first few bits of track in Olathe, KS, I've found a few "dead" spots on some old recycled turnouts that have needed cleaning. Thus far, I have a few trusty Brite Boys that have been put to work by the MoW crew (so far, my kids still feel that cleaning track is fun!). However, I'm open to other suggestions and am carefully taking notes from this thread. Best Regards,
I agree with Chris. I haven't rated a thread before, but I'm going to go out on a limb and give it 5 stars. There are some great ideas here. I believe that I will spray some electrical contact cleaner on cotton swabs and wipe the rails down. I can get by with that since my layout is in the garage and is obviously well ventilated. I have the same issues with old turnouts as well, and for some reason, the rails always seem to get dirty wherever there is a soldered joint. I have used extremely fine sandpaper and emery board in the past, but as everyone else indicates, it probably does more harm than good. Still not sure how to get into those tunnels, though. Pat Moreland, Union Mo.
Micro-Mark makes this tool that might work. Maybe someone on the forum has one and could weigh in as to it's value? http://www.micromark.com/HO-Gauge-Track-Cleaner,8301.html
I made something similar but a lot more crude by attaching a Brite Boy to a paint stirring stick for reaching into the roundhouse and bridges.
Pat- Be careful with the electrical contact cleaner. Some of that stuff will melt some plastics, Many years ago I destroyed a perfectly cheap steam engine trying to use contact cleaner on it, I am confident there are brands that won't hurt plastic, but afraid there is some that will not be good for the application. Tom Holley
Re: Track Cleaning?? Bob, the Micro-Mark tool looks like just the thing, especially if they have replacement pads for it. Buying a completely new tool at $18.00 apiece could get expensive, depending on how long one of them lasts. All in all, looks like a pretty good investment, though. Thanks for posting it. Tom, I used some contact cleaner on a jet-ski electrical connector panel a few years ago and whatever type it was, it didn't hurt the plastic housing. Can't remember the brand name, but it came in a red and white can. I think I'll try to find some more of it and give it try. Nonetheless, I'll try to avoid contact with the ties and other plastic components. Pat Moreland, Union Mo.
Re: Track Cleaning?? For my nickel's worth on G scale, the best thing I have found/used has been metal wheels on my rolling stock. When it has been a while between runnings, I just put on the old U25B, and let her run around for about 5 minutes, then we are ready to go. With most of my cars having metel wheels, [ an on-going process ], after running a bit, the rails are very clean and shiny. I can't imagine on hands and knees with bright boy, Eberhard-Faber, or oil of any kind. These old bones just wouldn't understand!! :0) Dan
Re: Track Cleaning?? I came across this article from a form on the Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine. I thought it may be good to post here for those who may not have seen it. "BLACK GUNK After discussing the track fouling problem with a friend, he sent me a piece of heavily used, poorly cleaned silver nickel track which I then sent to the analytical lab for an analysis of the black crud that was presumed to be from using plastic wheels. The report came back today. Drum roll please... It has nothing to do with plastic wheels... sort of. The black crud is near 100% pure nickel oxide. Nickel (III) oxide to be specific. Saw the spectrograph output proving it. It is the natural oxidation of the nickel in the silver nickel plating on the track. Interestingly enough, it is deposited in such a manner as to suggest it was formed during an electrical arc. When viewed under extreme magnification it looks like random dots rather than a continuous film. The metallurgist explained to me it is likely microscopic irregularities on the tread of locomotive wheels and track face and/or common dust on the track is causing momentary loss of electrical contact resulting in nanosecond duration, nanometer long electrical arcs which cause the nickel to oxidize far faster than would naturally occur. One could never see this with the naked eye they would be so small. He is only guessing based on observation of the deposits but who am I to question his analysis? The oxide is also very tightly bound to the track. This explains why a Brite Boy is effective while wet wiping is not. When asked about plastic wheels he postulates the plastic has nothing to with it. Rather, metal wheels due to their harder surface are far more effective at wearing away the oxide. The wheels aren't responsible for the problem, they are the removers of oxide and plastic is just a very poor remover. Bill didn't have any specific solutions to the problem but he did give us some suggestions. He believes we would have the best luck if we applied to the rails a very hard, very thin, titanium or magnesium based nickel conversion coating. Say that in English I said. A very specific type of anti-corrosive metal treatment he replied. Not exactly something you will find on the shelves of Wal-Mart. I Googled a bit and sure enough these products exist although they clearly are for industrial use only. Sorry I don't have an easy fix but at least we know exactly what the problem is and it isn't plastic wheels." Also, on the "On3" site on Yahoo, there has been quite a discussion about a product called CRC 2-26. "Every hardware store, auto parts store, marine supply store as well as many sporting goods stores [fishing and boating supplies] I've visited carry the stuff. Mike Bauers Milwaukee, Wi Hope this helps, Sherrel Weems
Re: Track Cleaning?? At the TWMRC and FriscoMike can confirm it we clean the track about twice a year and wipe it lightly with CRC 2-26. We have tried cloth rollers, Walthers track car, masonite pads, tank cars, electronic cars and even one with spinning disc, but the best approach seems to be briteboy and then the CRC 2-26. I have been doing this at home since 1990 and have had good results. GooGone leaves residue ,although it smells good. mktjames
Re: Track Cleaning?? Sherrell, this is fantastic information-thanks! James, what is CRC 2-26? Pat Moreland, Union Mo.
Re: Track Cleaning?? Google CRC 2-26 , it is an aerosol spray, plastic safe and its spec's are listed. There even came up other railroad modelers who used it. I bought it at the local ACE hardware or Grainger. mktjames
Re: Track Cleaning?? I would like to recommend some products by Aerocar Lubricants http://www.aerocarlubricants.com/. Among their range of excellent lubricants are two products that I feel are the overall best solution. The first is Conducta Lube and Cleaner; I have used this product to improve the running qualities of motors simply by lubricating the brushes with this product. Also, this is an excellent lube for the bronze oilite bearings, phosphor bronze and copper electrical pickups on locomotives. I have been able to dramatically improve how smaller engines run, especially through turnouts with long frogs. The second is their Track Cleaner & Conditioner. There are two aspects of the rail on our layouts that this pair of products addresses oxidation of the railhead itself and buildup of oxidized (arc flashed) dust that was attracted to oil-based lubricants (like transmission fluid?) placed or dropped on the rails.
Re: Track Cleaning?? I ordered a bottle of the track cleaner a couple of months ago and it wroks super. I also highly recommend it.
Re: Track Cleaning?? Keith (or anyone else), how do you apply the track cleaner? I salvaged a lot of track from my last layout but it needs a lot of cleaning. - Brandon
You can take a clean piece of cloth like an old pillow case, or piece of sheet and put some cleaner on it and run it along the track.
Re: Track Cleaning?? What is the best way to clean N scale electro frog turnout points before using CRC2-26 or would the solution take care of that? Joe
Re: Track Cleaning?? Hi, would scrubbing the contact surface area with an alcohol Q-tip and then applying CRC2-2 be a good way to clean turnout points? Joe
