Slowly expanding MTH/Lionel Layout

The 8x8’ foot print didn’t last long. Soon after an expansion was added, along with some more track. 

I’ve attended a couple shows here and there lately, as mentioned I’ve always been into the modern higher end stuff, however.... lately I find myself really lusting after postwar Lionel. Been grabbing whatever I can of it, it seems lol. Picked up a 2343, a 2350, a ZW transformer and more. I got lucky with a somewhat local sale, and picked up a bin with a 2367 Wabash hiding inside. The engine is fairly rough.. it’s waiting to be sent out for restoration.

Included in the Bin mentioned above was also this TW transformer. She worked fairly good but was in pretty sad shape cosmetically. I gave her a little restoration to look new again.

Along with the TW, picked up a ZW as well. This was an already restored piece that was gone through. Works great! Felt like one of the cool kids then! LOL

In the same bin came a bunch of old tubular track. Was able to save em doing the vinegar trick, and letting em soak for a day or 2. 

Some Misc. pics.

Was pretty busy on the layout this last week and today. Built another level as a subway line. Made up a display shelf out of some scrap metal from work, and also made a new shelf for the control center. 

Here’s a few various videos as well. I’ve really been enjoying getting back into it! The search continues for some more postwar goodies! LOL

https://youtu.be/mIH32V-kuFY

https://youtu.be/SjHq1SMkW2c

https://youtu.be/mLaBaaCGsvM

https://youtu.be/w2zwbLcqgUE

https://youtu.be/T4Gp8JlejYw

https://youtu.be/W_gMDdeqVOg

https://youtu.be/06JUkoejQcs

https://youtu.be/Ks76j9nHYPw

Hi Zac,

Welcome aboard! Glad that you are not lurking any longer.

You are having some fun! That is a lot of changing in a short time.

I am enjoying your approach to the hobby - 

What attracted you to the PW trains?

I love the NYC streamliner - it is a candidate for a PS3 upgrade and perhaps some mods.

https://ogrforum.com/...ting-older-mth-steam

Welcome to the party Zac. Sounds like you grew up with trains just like most of us.

Love the layout. Keep us posted on your progress.

Bob

Nice to see another 30s "millennial" into O gauge trains. I grew up during the same era in the 90's and, like you, Hi-Rail at the time has played a big influence on my layout design and purchases. I have MTH Premier scale steam locomotives and traditional Lionel scale sized diesels (F3s, GP7s, FM Train Masters) and scale sized rolling stock because of the era I got into O gauge. I only have one Postwar piece (2343 F3) that I upgraded with an ERR AC Commander and railsounds. I really wanted TMCC as a kid but, being a kid, couldn't afford it. Now I've got both TMCC and DCS on my layout and every locomotive is command equipped. Wait till that bug hits you. It's even more fun. I also have my first locomotive, a Lionel Southern Pacific 2-4-0 from 1993. It still runs but I've converted it to a "park display" on my layout, as everything I run is command control and the layout is set up to just run command equipment. 

Moonman posted:

Hi Zac,

Welcome aboard! Glad that you are lurking any longer.

You are having some fun! That is a lot of changing in a short time.

I am enjoying your approach to the hobby - 

What attracted you to the PW trains?

 

Thank you! Yea it took me a while. But there is a lot of great stuff to soak up here. Was pretty content reading everything I could lol.

Been hitting the trains like a fat kid in a candy shop! Ha! Can’t get enough of it lately. 

The 2343 started the post war bug. I had to get it is it is just a “staple” to me. One of those have to have. After getting it I really started to enjoy its simplicity a bit more over my newer stuff. She sounds like a Hoover vacuum running around the table, and I love it. 

Plus I think it’s awesome to see that 70 year old engine just doing its job without question. She did decide to act up yesterday for the first time. She wasn’t wanting to run good going forward. It ran better in reverse, but after a couple laps that wasn’t working either. Time for a service, and some new brushes I believe.

Moonman posted:

I love the NYC streamliner - it is a candidate for a PS3 upgrade and perhaps some mods.

https://ogrforum.com/...ting-older-mth-steam

 

Yes! That’s what I’ve been thinking. This ones a bit sentimental. Grandma spent quite a bit of time searching for one for me back then. She found it on eBay. The engine came in, but of coarse was not working. A trip to a local repair center and 2 weeks later she was finally running. Grandma loved this engine as well. She is no longer here, but the engine is. I think she’d enjoy seeing it upgraded.

probably gonna have to mail this one out for the service. I only have one good HS 2 hours away, and he did not seem to privy on doing the conversion.

Lou1985 posted:

Nice to see another 30s "millennial" into O gauge trains. I grew up during the same era in the 90's and, like you, Hi-Rail at the time has played a big influence on my layout design and purchases. I have MTH Premier scale steam locomotives and traditional Lionel scale sized diesels (F3s, GP7s, FM Train Masters) and scale sized rolling stock because of the era I got into O gauge. I only have one Postwar piece (2343 F3) that I upgraded with an ERR AC Commander and railsounds. I really wanted TMCC as a kid but, being a kid, couldn't afford it. Now I've got both TMCC and DCS on my layout and every locomotive is command equipped. Wait till that bug hits you. It's even more fun. I also have my first locomotive, a Lionel Southern Pacific 2-4-0 from 1993. It still runs but I've converted it to a "park display" on my layout, as everything I run is command control and the layout is set up to just run command equipment. 

 

Excellent! Yes the girlfriend and I look a bit out of place when we go hit the local shows lol. Aside from the few kids that come with dad/grandpa we are usually the youngest attending. 

Back as a kid I had to have the TMCC setup. Was pretty dumb though, as I didn’t have one engine with TMCC. Only the conventional, and MTH engines. I wasn’t able to really utilize the system till the layout got built last year. I picked up the Chicago and NW with Legacy from the local HS. Then the challenger later on in the year. The DCS system looked overwhelming to me as a kid.

Id love to grab a DCS, and legacy system, but don’t see the reason for it yet. I only have one legacy engine, and one PS3 engine at the moment. 

As much as I like the modern stuff, the postwar stuff has been bringing more enjoyment. Honestly I’ll keep em the way they are, and keep the command systems for the newer stuff. My newer stuff is always giving me fits, where as the postwar keeps chugging alone. Granted 99% of my stuff is pre-owned. I’ve spent some what I consider “big money” on some stuff, but I can’t bring myself to drop a grand on an engine lol.

We had one last hobby shop here in the Jacksonville FL area. A hobby world. They only carried Lionel products. Most of the stuff was quite a few years old, and had been sitting on the shelf for quite some time. Unfortunately they finally closed their doors for the last time last month. It wasn’t by far my favorite place to go, but still sad to see it close. 

Any of you guys running a hobby shop with success? I’d love to open one, but don’t see it lasting. The internet has really killed em for sure!

Countrybunker posted:

Lou1985 posted:

Nice to see another 30s "millennial" into O gauge trains. I grew up during the same era in the 90's and, like you, Hi-Rail at the time has played a big influence on my layout design and purchases. I have MTH Premier scale steam locomotives and traditional Lionel scale sized diesels (F3s, GP7s, FM Train Masters) and scale sized rolling stock because of the era I got into O gauge. I only have one Postwar piece (2343 F3) that I upgraded with an ERR AC Commander and railsounds. I really wanted TMCC as a kid but, being a kid, couldn't afford it. Now I've got both TMCC and DCS on my layout and every locomotive is command equipped. Wait till that bug hits you. It's even more fun. I also have my first locomotive, a Lionel Southern Pacific 2-4-0 from 1993. It still runs but I've converted it to a "park display" on my layout, as everything I run is command control and the layout is set up to just run command equipment. 

 

 

Excellent! Yes the girlfriend and I look a bit out of place when we go hit the local shows lol. Aside from the few kids that come with dad/grandpa we are usually the youngest attending. 

Back as a kid I had to have the TMCC setup. Was pretty dumb though, as I didn’t have one engine with TMCC. Only the conventional, and MTH engines. I wasn’t able to really utilize the system till the layout got built last year. I picked up the Chicago and NW with Legacy from the local HS. Then the challenger later on in the year. The DCS system looked overwhelming to me as a kid.

Id love to grab a DCS, and legacy system, but don’t see the reason for it yet. I only have one legacy engine, and one PS3 engine at the moment. 

As much as I like the modern stuff, the postwar stuff has been bringing more enjoyment. Honestly I’ll keep em the way they are, and keep the command systems for the newer stuff. My newer stuff is always giving me fits, where as the postwar keeps chugging alone. Granted 99% of my stuff is pre-owned. I’ve spent some what I consider “big money” on some stuff, but I can’t bring myself to drop a grand on an engine lol.

My new stuff hasn't really given me any major problems. The trick is fast blow fuses and TVS diodes.  Most issues stem from short circuits. 

I'd still upgrade the Postwar stuff. The old 2343 is much more enjoyable to operate with TMCC and Railsounds. 

Countrybunker,

First, nice layout! You are coming right along!

Second, nice work on the restorations!

A word of caution about the TW transformer: This a very unique and weird transformer. Unlike any of the other Lionel transformers, it has 2 cores: one for the variable posts, and one for the fixed voltage posts. Be very careful how you wire it into your layout. Keep the variable wiring completely separate from the fixed wiring. Do it incorrectly, and you get a "floating ground" which will drive you nuts! (Don't ask me how I know this... ) You would be wise to keep it for accessories and leave the ZW to power the trains.

Chris

LVHR

Lou1985 posted:

Countrybunker posted:

Lou1985 posted:

Nice to see another 30s "millennial" into O gauge trains. I grew up during the same era in the 90's and, like you, Hi-Rail at the time has played a big influence on my layout design and purchases. I have MTH Premier scale steam locomotives and traditional Lionel scale sized diesels (F3s, GP7s, FM Train Masters) and scale sized rolling stock because of the era I got into O gauge. I only have one Postwar piece (2343 F3) that I upgraded with an ERR AC Commander and railsounds. I really wanted TMCC as a kid but, being a kid, couldn't afford it. Now I've got both TMCC and DCS on my layout and every locomotive is command equipped. Wait till that bug hits you. It's even more fun. I also have my first locomotive, a Lionel Southern Pacific 2-4-0 from 1993. It still runs but I've converted it to a "park display" on my layout, as everything I run is command control and the layout is set up to just run command equipment. 

 

 

Excellent! Yes the girlfriend and I look a bit out of place when we go hit the local shows lol. Aside from the few kids that come with dad/grandpa we are usually the youngest attending. 

Back as a kid I had to have the TMCC setup. Was pretty dumb though, as I didn’t have one engine with TMCC. Only the conventional, and MTH engines. I wasn’t able to really utilize the system till the layout got built last year. I picked up the Chicago and NW with Legacy from the local HS. Then the challenger later on in the year. The DCS system looked overwhelming to me as a kid.

Id love to grab a DCS, and legacy system, but don’t see the reason for it yet. I only have one legacy engine, and one PS3 engine at the moment. 

As much as I like the modern stuff, the postwar stuff has been bringing more enjoyment. Honestly I’ll keep em the way they are, and keep the command systems for the newer stuff. My newer stuff is always giving me fits, where as the postwar keeps chugging alone. Granted 99% of my stuff is pre-owned. I’ve spent some what I consider “big money” on some stuff, but I can’t bring myself to drop a grand on an engine lol.

My new stuff hasn't really given me any major problems. The trick is fast blow fuses and TVS diodes.  Most issues stem from short circuits. 

I'd still upgrade the Postwar stuff. The old 2343 is much more enjoyable to operate with TMCC and Railsounds. 

That 2343 came out great! 

lehighline posted:

Countrybunker,

First, nice layout! You are coming right along!

Second, nice work on the restorations!

A word of caution about the TW transformer: This a very unique and weird transformer. Unlike any of the other Lionel transformers, it has 2 cores: one for the variable posts, and one for the fixed voltage posts. Be very careful how you wire it into your layout. Keep the variable wiring completely separate from the fixed wiring. Do it incorrectly, and you get a "floating ground" which will drive you nuts! (Don't ask me how I know this... ) You would be wise to keep it for accessories and leave the ZW to power the trains.

Chris

LVHR

Thank you!

Yea while researching stuff for the TW, it seems this is not a well received transformer. lol. Not a whole lot of love out there for it. 

I had planned for it to do accessory duty, but then I got the “subway” deck up, and it is powering that line. Currently running the little 2055 set. It took a minute when I first got it to wire up to where it would work. But she is doing good, and seems to be having no problems. Deff not the power house the ZW is, but I love the look of the 2 together on the control shelf.

I have to say of all the engines I have, the postwar New Haven EP5 is the best return value/happiness I’ve got out of em.

She was a recent purchase from a show down south a bit. I had been looking for one for a while. Kept getting outbid from ones online. It had its share of problems at first though. She was advertised as a great runner, and good to go. Once home she wouldn’t move. After removing the shell found 2 wires came separated off the motor. I soldered em back on, but still not 100%. Dropped her off at the shop. Turns out she was wired completely wrong. 

Anyways after a service she came back home. She is such a great and quiet runner! Not a power hog like some of my other postwar stuff. Very dependable.

Moonman posted:

I love the NYC streamliner - it is a candidate for a PS3 upgrade and perhaps some mods.

https://ogrforum.com/...ting-older-mth-steam

 

Or, even easier, TMCC ERR Cruise Commander. 

I had some free time today. I decided to take apart, clean, and replace some wiring in the 2367 I picked up a couple months ago (mentioned above)

To my surprise, I got it running!!! I let the frame, trucks, and shell soak in some hot soapy water. (It ended up eating the gray paint off the nose, doh!!). Not that it matters much as the whole engine is in pretty sad shape. I hit the motors, and E unit with some CRC electrical cleaner. I lubed everything up, and reinstalled, after bench testing the motors. 

While testing the motors and lubing the trucks, I noticed the rear truck and motor both have a hang up spot. Not sure the cause...

Any ways, got her back together, and running. At first the rear motor and truck were not happy, but they have seemed to calm down a bit after a little run time.

I was planning on sending this one out to L&L restorations, but may just send them the shells to restore, and I’ll handle the rest.

Had a little postwar running session afterwards. My lionmaster challenger decided to go on the fritz again.... she’ll make sounds, and accept commands from the Cab1, but she won’t move. Gotta love it! LOL

Yes, if you plan to, definitely have L&L do the restoration on your 2367 shells.  I have sent some to L&L and more than pleased with the results.  And, for the costs of doing so, more than happy.  I sent them two "very used" ST Fe F3 shells for a repaint into Burlington color scheme.  I placed the "dummy" shell on a powered F3 frame, now have two powered units, with tether between for operation with same E unit, per Jim Barrett video conversion.  That is four Pulmor motors in unison to run my 12 K Line CZ 18" alum car consist very well around the layout. 

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

When time and funds permit, plan to install 3rd Rail/ERR AC Commander into both units for even better operations, as ABA motive unit, or singular with use of Burlington B units, of which I do have one, already.  I have to agree with D500 on the 3rd Rail/ERR upgrade to TMCC and RS.  Mind you, it is a matter of preference.  But, I for one, keeping to only one command system for running has many benefits for operating.  True, DCS has it's own features, but when operating for enjoyment of doing so, extra features can be more trouble than beneficial.   Just my opinion, as I stated, a matter of preferences.

Jesse    TCA   12-68275

COUNTRYBUNKER, never use hot water on postwar plastic. Luke warm or tepid is ok. Also use a mild soap for cleaning some parts. Decals are very delicate.

Steve

Hi Countrybunker,

You mentioned the "old vinegar trick" to fix old tubular track.  Would you please provide more details since I don't think I've heard it.  What type of vinegar?  How long does the track soak?  Do you rinse it off when done?  If so, with what?

Thanks for any and all info.

Chuck

texastrain posted:

Yes, if you plan to, definitely have L&L do the restoration on your 2367 shells.  I have sent some to L&L and more than pleased with the results.  And, for the costs of doing so, more than happy.  I sent them two "very used" ST Fe F3 shells for a repaint into Burlington color scheme.  I placed the "dummy" shell on a powered F3 frame, now have two powered units, with tether between for operation with same E unit, per Jim Barrett video conversion.  That is four Pulmor motors in unison to run my 12 K Line CZ 18" alum car consist very well around the layout. 

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

Those look great!!! Thanks for sharing em.

I contacted L&L a little while back about the 2367. I’m not the most inclined electronically, and was going to send the whole engine in for a complete restoration. I had a little sticker shock for the restoration, but accepted it. Now that I was able to get it going, and feel more comfortable messing with em, I’ll just send in the shells, and tackle the rest on my own hopefully. 

texastrain posted:

When time and funds permit, plan to install 3rd Rail/ERR AC Commander into both units for even better operations, as ABA motive unit, or singular with use of Burlington B units, of which I do have one, already.  I have to agree with D500 on the 3rd Rail/ERR upgrade to TMCC and RS.  Mind you, it is a matter of preference.  But, I for one, keeping to only one command system for running has many benefits for operating.  True, DCS has it's own features, but when operating for enjoyment of doing so, extra features can be more trouble than beneficial.   Just my opinion, as I stated, a matter of preferences.

Jesse    TCA   12-68275

I do enjoy my TMCC and legacy engines, but I find myself more pleased with original Postwar. I couldn’t convert em. I love seeing the 70 year old engines doing their thing just as they did when new. I’m a bit eccentric that way I guess lol. 

I’ll leave the command systems for my newer stuff. 

RideTheRails posted:

COUNTRYBUNKER, never use hot water on postwar plastic. Luke warm or tepid is ok. Also use a mild soap for cleaning some parts. Decals are very delicate.

Steve

I know this now Steve lol. I stayed with dawn soap for cleaning though, so luckily no more damage.

i wasn’t overly concerned as these paint jobs are trashed as is. Previous owner spilled green paint of some sorts all down the side. Plus being tossed around in the bin with all the track and accessories beat em up pretty good too. 

My 2343 set has a sticker that was placed on the dummy unit. The sticker is on there pretty good. I’ve had a couple guys recommended a few drops of goof off to loosen the adhesive. Is this a good idea? I don’t want to mess the paint up on these ones...

Thanks!

Zac

PRR1950 posted:

Hi Countrybunker,

You mentioned the "old vinegar trick" to fix old tubular track.  Would you please provide more details since I don't think I've heard it.  What type of vinegar?  How long does the track soak?  Do you rinse it off when done?  If so, with what?

Thanks for any and all info.

Chuck

 

Hey Chuck,

I came across this trick from a gentleman on YouTube.  There seems to be some controversy around it, as some say it’s great and others say it’s not...

Personally I really like the results I got doing it. All this track came in a lot I bought, so I wasn’t overly concerned about it.

I picked up some cheap tin foil roasting pans, and a few gallons of cheap 5% distilled vinegar available from any grocery store. Submerged the track in the vinegar for 24-48 hours (depending on how rusty). After a long soak, I went through and brushed all the now removed rust off with a toothbrush. 

Once done, rinse the track, and place in another pan with water and baking soda to neutralize the acid in the vinegar. Moving quickly, I dried the track by towel as best I could, and places the track on a baking sheet. Place in the oven at 85-100 degrees for at least an hour. This fully dries the track, and keeps the rust from coming back.

be sure to give the track adequate time in the oven. My last batch I pulled out too quickly, and had some flash rusting the next day, as they hadn’t dried completely.

this trick will remove the paint on the ties too, something to consider. I’ll take it though as this track wasn’t all that nice to begin with for me personally.

Here it is straight out of the oven, and set up on the floor. This track wouldn’t have run an engine at all before, now no problems..

https://youtu.be/IXemHjCUZ-A

Let me know if there’s anything else I could help with on it. As mentioned there’s a pretty good tutorial on YouTube as well.

I'm curious if you got your Wabash F3 running? I love those post war F3's

Countrybunker posted:

I had some free time today. I decided to take apart, clean, and replace some wiring in the 2367 I picked up a couple months ago (mentioned above)

To my surprise, I got it running!!! I let the frame, trucks, and shell soak in some hot soapy water. (It ended up eating the gray paint off the nose, doh!!). Not that it matters much as the whole engine is in pretty sad shape. I hit the motors, and E unit with some CRC electrical cleaner. I lubed everything up, and reinstalled, after bench testing the motors. 

While testing the motors and lubing the trucks, I noticed the rear truck and motor both have a hang up spot. Not sure the cause...

Any ways, got her back together, and running. At first the rear motor and truck were not happy, but they have seemed to calm down a bit after a little run time.

I was planning on sending this one out to L&L restorations, but may just send them the shells to restore, and I’ll handle the rest.

Had a little postwar running session afterwards. My lionmaster challenger decided to go on the fritz again.... she’ll make sounds, and accept commands from the Cab1, but she won’t move. Gotta love it! LOL

If you keep an eye out on the auction site you can sometimes find shells that Lionel made as part of the Postwar Celebration Series. You'll get better paint application than the postwar originals as well. My 2343s have a set of replacement shells Lionel issued a few years ago for the Conventional Classics line. I got both A unit shells for about $100 MIB. Found them on the auction site. 

tncentrr posted:

I'm curious if you got your Wabash F3 running? I love those post war F3's

Hey tncentrr, I did. It’s mentioned a few posts up with a couple videos.

Lou1985 posted:

Countrybunker posted:

I had some free time today. I decided to take apart, clean, and replace some wiring in the 2367 I picked up a couple months ago (mentioned above)

To my surprise, I got it running!!! I let the frame, trucks, and shell soak in some hot soapy water. (It ended up eating the gray paint off the nose, doh!!). Not that it matters much as the whole engine is in pretty sad shape. I hit the motors, and E unit with some CRC electrical cleaner. I lubed everything up, and reinstalled, after bench testing the motors. 

While testing the motors and lubing the trucks, I noticed the rear truck and motor both have a hang up spot. Not sure the cause...

Any ways, got her back together, and running. At first the rear motor and truck were not happy, but they have seemed to calm down a bit after a little run time.

I was planning on sending this one out to L&L restorations, but may just send them the shells to restore, and I’ll handle the rest.

Had a little postwar running session afterwards. My lionmaster challenger decided to go on the fritz again.... she’ll make sounds, and accept commands from the Cab1, but she won’t move. Gotta love it! LOL

If you keep an eye out on the auction site you can sometimes find shells that Lionel made as part of the Postwar Celebration Series. You'll get better paint application than the postwar originals as well. My 2343s have a set of replacement shells Lionel issued a few years ago for the Conventional Classics line. I got both A unit shells for about $100 MIB. Found them on the auction site. 

I’ve seen a couple of em on eBay. If I found em for cheap enough, I’d prolly grab em for now. I’d like to keep the original shells with it though, and have em restored.

Added another postwar engine to the roster. A gentleman a little south of me is liquidating some of his inventory. I picked up these absolutely beautiful set of 2354 F3’s. They are gorgeous! 

Also picked up a Dispatch tower, with its original box and microphone. Along with a nice searchlight car. 

I gave the F3’s a complete service today, and they are running the rails again. As gorgeous as they are, they do show signs of quite a bit of run time. The power unit rollers were wore down to nubs. Replaced some wiring as well, and a new set of brushes. 

A little run time!

Zac, I just found your topic.  Welcome to the OGR Forum and to O gauge trains.  It looks like you have a very nice layout going and some nice trains!  You are doing a great job keeping costs down getting the most for your money.  I'm glad your girlfriend is interested enough in trains to go to shows with you!  I'll look forward to seeing what you do in the future!

Mark Boyce posted:

Zac, I just found your topic.  Welcome to the OGR Forum and to O gauge trains.  It looks like you have a very nice layout going and some nice trains!  You are doing a great job keeping costs down getting the most for your money.  I'm glad your girlfriend is interested enough in trains to go to shows with you!  I'll look forward to seeing what you do in the future!

Thanks Mark! I’m trying! LOL. They do start to add up for sure! 

I wouldn’t say she’s interested, as much as she tolerates it.. I’m sure thats the same with most though. She does show interest in some of the new arrivals, but that’s about the extent of it. 

My wife has always encouraged my hobby but only went to a couple events when we were first married 35 years ago. 

Smart ladies are happy to have husbands/gentlemen friends who have hobbies that keep them at home!

Zac,

I would like to try your vinegar method with some rusty 027 track I got free of charge from a friend. I am not sure how putting track in the oven to dry will go over with the wife. I can just hear it now "You want to put WHAT in MY oven"?!?

tncentrr posted:

Zac,

I would like to try your vinegar method with some rusty 027 track I got free of charge from a friend. I am not sure how putting track in the oven to dry will go over with the wife. I can just hear it now "You want to put WHAT in MY oven"?!?

I liked how it turned out for sure! I’d do it again. I was in the same boat. Track was basically free, so no harm, no foul. 

I was a little concerned myself putting it in the oven. But really though, there’s nothing to worry about. As mentioned, the vinegar is going to eat most, if not all the old paint away. Plus your not really “baking” it. At 85-100 degrees your only taking the moisture out of it. I can’t stress enough the importance of keeping it in the oven long enough though. Need to get all the moisture out, or it will flash rust in places. 

Seems the easiest, most effective way to do it. All it takes is time, and $10-15 in material. No scrubbing/or sanding. Plus it gets into every nook and cranny, where you wouldn’t be able to get with a scotch brite pad.