I found a new track cleaner. It is a regular pencil topper eraser. Works like a charm[:D][8D][:)][^][:P][bow][X-)][C):-)][(-D][swg]
Don’t overlook MAAS, a paste cleaner good for track and loco wheels. www.maasinc.com
at Ace or Target, household cleaners section. This stuff has replaced my Tony’s clean machine
Also automotive polishing compound, similar stuff.
AH the ole pencil top eraser. I’ve been using that for years to clean the contacts and motors on engines. It does work great for that. On track it seems to go through the erasers quite quickly. But their nice and small for around turnouts. I’ve used the big eraser looking things, track bright I think is the name. They appear to be an eraser that is stiffer and doesnt grind down as quickly with sucess.
I recently harped about poor performance with one of my locomotives in this forum and the verdict seemed unanimous: rails and/or wheels needed cleaning. Good enough. But using an eraser? I was starting to think this was a joke that I was gullible enough to fall for. Well I bought one; let’s see if this puppy really helps. [:0]
Does everyone like to clean track? It certainly seems this way. There are so many ways of doing it. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some way to not have to clean track so much, such as once every 6 months or so!
Try using metal polish on the rails. It cleans off all of the oxidation and leaves a coating on the rails that keeps them clean. Use just about any poli***hat is used for cleaning metal, even silver polish or Mothers Mag wheel polish.
I know this seems rather strange but I tried it on my layout and have not had to clean the track since September of 2003. I run about every other week and usually have 5 to 7 operators on a fairly large HO layout. We are using DCC so you know when you are having dirty track problems. This layout is in a basement so there is no climate control other than a dehumidifier used in the summer.
Bob H Clarion, PA
Just don’t waste your time trying it out on the UP/BN diamond you have out there.
Not to worry–no diamonds on the layout. I’m lucky I have two mainline ovals.[:(]
Mee too, a 40 & a 30.
I use rubbing alcohol and Q-tips for major cleaning of the rails. Don’t use this method if you have weathered track or painted ties as the alcohol will eat through the paint.
Take care,
Russell