Rail Cleaning

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Have read many posts about rail cleaning and recently ‘gleamed’ my track…and I see improved performace…

I recently read some posts here and elsewhere about No-Ox-Id…and I find two approaches…

  1. apply a thin filim of No-Ox-ID and allow it to sit for 24-48 hours…then wipe the track to remove excess No-Ox-Id…and the layout is ready to roll…and…

  2. apply a thin film of No-Ox-Id and then run trains for a period of time…then wipe to remove excess No-Ox-Id…and the layout is ready to roll…

Which of the two procedures do you think is the best approach?

Here’s my hunch…one time do the 24-48 hour procedure to remove the largest amount of gunk from the layout…and then apply once again and run the locomotives in order to get the loco wheels clean also…

Thanks for reading this post and I look forward to your replies.

Sam

2

If you took your time with the gleaming, don’t mess with anything else. Just wipe the track or use alcohol when needed. Also make sure you clean all of your wheels.

3

Hi Sam,

If you “gleamed” then vacuum before you apply a film of no-ox. Use very little. If you can see it gunking up anywhere you are using way to much. The Bar Mills jar should last you and 10 of your bubbies a life time. Now run all your locos so they will get the treatment to. If you have any traction tire equiped locos do not run them on the wet rails. You can remove the tires and run the locos or treat them seperately. I ran my locos on and off for the first 24 hours and I allowed them to pull cars with metal wheels as I did not think it would hurt. On the second day I wiped it clean and now I mostly just vacuum. Remember there is no protection from dust and debri so vacuum before running.

When the no-ox is wet on the rails traction will be reduced untill it dries and the excess is wiped off. After the no-ox application you will continue to see a black film that is conductive and somewhat liquid like as it wipes off easily. I don’t bother to wipe the rails unless its late at night and don’t want to wake the family with the vacuum.

I treated my garage layout about 20 months ago and am very happy with the results.

Hope this helps.

4

Thanks for your advice and help…today I was cleaning the contacts of my locos and used some of the No-Ox-Id and can relly notice the difference in running…