Another option, available in many bicycle shops, is Simichrome polish. Its milder than Brasso, preferred by cyclists because its great for aluminum. If I knew were mine was, I’d give it a try and report back.
locomotive 3
My mistake (rubbing - polishing compound)
The main thing to remember is that having a protective coating on the track after the polishing compound cleans the track.
I am not absolutely sure, How and Why it works, but it does. I went from having to clean engine wheels 2 or 3 times each operating session to not cleaning them for months. I am running DCC and it was very frustrating trying to do switching with a jerky stalling engine.
Now all of the operators just come in and run the trains without ever cleaning their wheels. A number of the operators bring their own equipment and they have no trouble.
Try it out and see if it makes a difference. If you don’t like it then go back to the old way.
Most of our NMRA Div 11 members have changed over to using the metal polish and have had similar results as I did. But the dampness and dust control where the layout is located may have an effect on the way the metal polish works.
BOB H Clarion, PA
then there is the question of cleaning hidden trackage… How about combining both approaches? Metal polish applied with a track cleaning car (eg the monster from Tony’s)
I only recommended polishing compound as a substitute.
I usually leave mine in the garage because MAAS is readily available at Walmart for $3.50.
I did own the centerline & Tonys’ clean machine and IMO Tonys is a great machine
and I would hire him again.