Cleaning a steam engine's wheels?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi all,

I while back I got my first steam engine, an HO Bachmann Mogul. I think it’s time I cleaned the wheels.

I clean my diesel’s wheels by running them over a IA soaked piece of denim, one truck, then the other.

Now I see all the delicate parts on my steamer including the armatures, the tender, the little wheels by the cow-catcher, etc. Is there a different method for cleaning my new loco?

EK

2

Hello EK

Tear some paper towel into strips, wet it with white spirit/denatured alcohol and run your wheels over it lightly one wheel set at a time.

Having said that, if it is clean enough and the engine is running fine, don’t fix it if it is not broke!

Regards from Australia.

Trevor xdford.digitalzones.com for your interest

3

Steam engine drive wheels can be cleaned the same way as a diesel locomotive – run it onto a paper towel or cloth with track cleaner on it and let the wheels spin.

4

Thanks guys, still haven’t cleaned it because it is running very smoothly.

5

Don’t you have a tiny one of these on your layout?

6

The tender axle to pickup wipers can get messy at times. If so, they have to be cleaned manually. Be careful not to bend the brass tabs and lose the tension that holds them to the axle.