What is the best way to clean the tracks on a model railroad, and where is the best place to buy track cleaners? Thanks
I just use a rag and denatured alcohol [from hardware store]. Rubbing alcohol will “work on” rubber and etc. There are several track cleaning cars a round.
Acme pads work very well also. That is what I use.
Stay away from WD40 as you will clean the track but end up with an oily residue. Track cleaning cars do about half the work or better but I find that rubbing alcohol & an old rag work best, for stubbern dirt use a pencil eraser.
Lee
Centerline Products makes a good track cleaning car but it is a little on the expensive side.
http://www.centerline-products.com/rail_wheel.htm
The O gauge 3 rail model is $119.00. They sell through dealers so I don’t know if the street price is less or not. I bought mine about 5 years ago and I don’t remember where I bought it or how much it cost then.
Careful buddy, rubbing alcohol wiill destroy rubber. Just a word to the wise.
GOO GONE and an old tube sock…all you’ll ever need.
I use Goo Gone for many things. However the warning on my Goo Gone bottle says do not use it on rubber. That causes me some concern about using it on track. It’s a great product but I think caution may be warranted. Any other opinions out there about the use of Goo Gone? Am I being overly cautious?
Tom
[#ditto]
Wipe the GOO GONE on the track and then make sure you wipe it dry. For an outdoor railroad it really works great.
Dear Worried in Wisconsin.
Me and my pals have used GOO GONE for years, and have never experienced anything but clean track. It’s citrus based and evaporates quickly. I’ll apply it all over my pike just before company arrives, and have never experienced any problems to my rubber “tires” afterwards.
Now, go clean those rails, they look awful…[;)]
Hey Fifedog,
What you and Buckeye Riveter say makes sense to me. Goo Gone does evaporate quickly. But what I want to know is how you know my track needs the care!! Hmmm… [:D] I’m sure it’s only a guess on your part.
Tom
Hello,
I purchased a TRACKMAN “0-2000” and I want to say it was the best $95.00 I ever spent. Because I have never really cleaned the track. ( wipe alittle now and then).
It is a heavy car to pull, my first try was with my all but forgotten lionel GP-9. It would not make any of the grades I have. The second attempt was with my sons duel motor PA1 it was no problem any were. And the more i ran it the cleaner the track got. Even though I have built temp. Carpet layouts for my son and I with any track we dig out of our track box including some with rust which this thing actuall started to clean.
As far as replacement pads SCOTCH BRITES are all they are. So maybe look for one.
Jim D.
a.k.a. SOCKO
P.S.<<<<
I know the colors are not right for the PRR emblem BUT I am color blind