I cleaned the wheeles of my locomotives and ran them in a little circle of EZ track. HOLY COW does it make a difference. Before, my Amtrak Dash-8 would barely move unless it found just the right spot on its wheeles. But I cleand them and WOW, it makes a huge difference. the train actually moves at a slow speed!!! Thanks to everyone who gave me wheel cleaning tips!!!
Yup. I have a garage layout, so my wheels HAVE to be cleaned all the time. After the initial cleaning, my advice is to run them, run them,
Sorry, hit the wrong darned button on the computer again. Anyway, Run them, run them, and RUN THEM! works best for me, every time.
Tom
Just 1 hour ago I had the same reaction…A couple of my steam engines were running sluggishly I cleaned the track with GOO GONE soaked onto a spare piece of homasote,ran the engines over the line,then wiped off the track.The layout had not been run for 3 weeks
There are many cleaning solutions out there. One just has to decide which one works best for them.
‘Cleaning solutions’ break up the dirt - not remove it.
An absorbent rag, roller, or scraper removes it - otherwise your wheels will…
WANT to know how clean your track is? - just rub your finger over 6" of rail.
If you don’t see a black streak, roll your cars over an Alchohol wetted paper towel placed over the track. You’ll see where it went.
Correction: There are many cleaning procedures out there. One just has to decide which one works
best for them.
Many solutions to a common problem. Experiment and see what works best for you. I’ve heard some good things about the track cleaning car/unit that Tony’s Trains Xchange sells. But until my budget allows, I think I’ll continue with the old fashioned “Alcohol and Terry Cloth Towel” for the track and the Kadee Electric Wheel cleaner for locomotives.
Sure makes things so much more “hassle free!”
Now go and do all you rolling stock and see how much better your trains pull. I used the paper towel on an old peice of track with a few drops of Goof Off on it.Roll the cars back and forth and watch the gunk come off.Some have said to watch the Goof Off because it can melt plastic.I did 50 cars and only had a problem with 1 cars wheels melting. i think it was an OLD tyco or Lionel.( I hated those wheels anyhow)
alcohol works, safe on plastic
was involved with a club layout, cleaning wheels was always a standard task as well as cleaning the track, which was done by a custom track cleaning train…
I have cleaned deep grit off wheels, the roller cleaning didnt do it.
buildup of dirt also meant the cars will wanna fall off…8-D
I have a cool idea that we use here, Take a small piece of 2" square wood stock about 4" long, and wrap a used ankle high footie sock around it, wet it with 409 and use it as you would use a sanding block, and the when it gets dirty juake it and throw it in with your laundry!
To keep your rails clean, use metal polish (any brand) and then you don’t have to keep on cleaning them each time you want to run trains.
I haven’t cleaned my rails for 2 years now and I am even doing scenery. My sound engines never miss a beat.
The metal polish has been a life saver as I would not be able to run trains if I had to keep cleaning the 2600 feet of track all of the time.
And I don’t have to keep cleaning the engine wheels as much now that I have used the metal polish on the rails.
If you like to clean track then keep on doing it the old way! Your choice. BUT I like to run my trains not clean track!
BOB H – Clarion, PA
Look around your garage. Even automotive POLISHING compound(not the rubbing) will work.
Look what it does on chrome bumpers.
Since I went to metal wheels on my cars, I never have to clean them.
I occasionally do clean the tracks, but never have to clean the locos.
Very true what cmrproducts and locomotive3 stated, I followed the advice of chrome polish, though I couldn’t locate MAAS, I ened up using Mothers, I can a test to spotless performance, and here I am using N gauge and haven’t even power my frogs and the engines all perform great.
Also keeping the wheels clean adn a regular maint. program on the engines, lube and such.
I see all this as being similar to the real thing, polish rails, real guys, rail grinder, clean wheels, real guys, turn the wheels and clean traction motors, lube, real guys FRA engine inspections and maint.