Returning to Model Railroading

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am returning to model railroading after being away for many years. I am pulling out my tracks and trains and will set up a 60 x 48 layout.

Before doing it I have searched answers for two issues: I have searched what is the best product to use to clean track, I read hand ‘track eraser’, liquid cleaner and even viewed a video showing sporadic use of automatic transmission fluid

Also best way to clean metal wheels

Maybe more questions later. Thanks ahead for any feedback…

Rich

2

[#welcome]
Rich you have opened a can of worms, there are quite a few post on your questions. I would suggest you do search on Search the Community.

Mel

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

Bakersfield, California

I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

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Whoa, 60x48 layout and after many years out of the hobby! Sounds like you are jumping in full force and both feet!

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by cleaning if you just mean oxides i use a rag with whal oil followed by a rag soaked in 96% alcohol, if its glue /paint or other stuff it takes a bit more agressive cleaner(bright boy or fine sandpaper)

for wheels i use 96% alcohol on a paper towel laid over a section of straight trackrunning car back and forth moving the paper a bit after 3 or 4 swipes

hope that helps.

5

Do you mean 60 feet by 48 feet, or perhaps 60 inches by 48 inches???.

Advice on track and metal wheel cleaning will be the same, future questions/advice will differ with size.

Dave

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Whal oil? There is whale oil, which they probably sell only in Japan and there is Wahl oil for hair clippers. I don’t get the rational for oil, but if it works for you…

OP you might want to research gleaming, a high polish of the rails. Other people use a bright boy and some swear by the Walthers track cleaning car. There are also some liquid tank cleaning cars. There are products that claim to clean protect and increase electrical conductivity. Sounds too good to be true, but I have not tested so I’m a just a guy at the end of the bar

If there was one best solution, we would all be using it.

Edit One more thing, some of us weather rails and wheels with acrylic paints. I would use a 70% solution rather than high test.

7

Welcome back!

How old is your track? Nickel silver is now the standard, though there are still layouts made with brass track. The NS is easier to keep clean.

Your older locos may also need considerable care too. If they are quality locos, they are probably worth the work, old set locos???

Good luck,

Richard

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I wondered the same thing, Dave. I could be wrong but my guess is that the OP was referring to the latter…

Tom

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jc,

I know you can get 70% and 91% alcohol at your local drug store. Where do you get 96% alcohol from?

Tom

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[#welcome]

I use this: (Ethanol)

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Klean-Strip-1-gal-SLX-Denatured-Alcohol-Cleaner-GSL26/100139444

I also have a stock of 99% Isopropyl that was being discarded from my employer. They were tossing it because it had passed the expiration date!!!

You have to watch some brands of “rubbing alcohol” as it may have castor oil added to it.

Happy Modeling, Ed

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60 x 48 inches

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thanks Mel I’m learning fast…

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thanks jc

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really old track but I did nail a circle and ran my diesel and older units on it…works ok…track do need to be replaced, having trouble lining some of them up etc…I did it to see what loco was working…Looks like new code 83 is in the buying column…thanks for asking