Scotchbrite and elbow grease. The only drawback is you should vacuum up after that.

I used to use Scotch-Brite...Now I'm worried that it put a lot of scratches in the track which collect dirt and grease.

If I had to do it again I'd use cloth and a cleaner like denatured alcohol, Goo-Gone, etc but no Scothc-Brite or sandpaper.

Found some reference to an electrical cleaner HO guys use but forget it now...

LGB Smoke Fluid and Cleaner

I followed Allan's advice and never looked back! LGB smoke fluid/cleaner does a great job of cleaning the track and keeping it clean.

I have a pair of the northeastern track cleaning cars and have replaced the pads with the Green Scotchbright pads and run them dry, 10 years no problems.

Life Like track cleaner can be found under the name Scenemaster on Amazon and is hobby shops.  Same stuff.

I've used denatured alcohol for over 30 years on any of my layouts and the price is right.  For me it's the best.  I clean using a soft diaper cloth material.  It quickly evaporates too.  I'd say to avoid any abrasives.  Just remember that wheels need cleaning too to optimize performance.  Though tedious to do, clean wheels do make a big difference.  Cleaning plastic wheels would mean using a safe solvent for them.  You'd be surprised how much gunk they collect and redistribute onto track. 

 

Phil

I tried using Scotchbrite on a converted Ribbon Rail track cleaning car. I also have a commercially made Right of Way track cleaning car with  Scotchbrite pads. The problem I have is the pads catch the points on switches and sometime derail the cars. The pads become torn up as well. I am into 2 rail O Scale using Atlas track. When all else fails Brightboy does it for me. I also use hair clipper oil to loosen up the crud on the track and wheels. I look forward to a real good way to clean track but nothing seems to be perfect.

Nate

Yep, 'tis...

 

Life Like Products Track Cleaner

CRC 2-26

Found this video of an HOn3 guy cleaning his track with CRC 2-26. Think I'm going to get some and try it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=channel&list=UL

Plain old alcohol works fine on my Atlas track.

 

Gunny

An old towel around my finger.

90% or better isopropyl alchohol from the local drug store on a paper towel as it will leave no lint. Isopropyl is safe for tape heads dvds and cds, certainly safe for trains.

When I saw plain old alcohol, why did a bottle of 150 proof Wild Turkey and a black tongue come to mind?  Run your trains and wipe off the track.  Once in a while I go easy with a sanding block or green scrubby pads and regularly run a work train detail with a North East Trains track cleaning car always with Lifelike track cleaning fluid on the pads.

I like to first wipe down the track with 90% denatured alcohol and then use Scotch bright pads...and like working out light press with many reps, I also add Automatic Transmission fluid (AFT) to the pad to help reduce the friction and protect the track from a more rapid oxidation...agin very light amounts...

 

spaceghost...