What is the best way to clean brass track, the hobby store suggested a bright boy erasure
Thanks
Tony
Original Post
"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.
Post your non-O scale stuff here!
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As it is continually oxidizing that sounds like a good choice, we used one on an HO layout.
Denatured alcohol on a cloth. It is also called "stove fuel"- so you can guess: be careful about letting it dry before running trains.
I had a fire on my layout, while using probably too much denatured alcohol on a track cleaning car, when a PW engine threw a spark. Fortunately, I put it out immediately, Now I make sure the track cleaning car is well behind the locomotive, but not near any other cars w/ an electrical pickup. I don't run the cleaning car but once every few months. But more often, I just use a red shop towel and denatured alcohol.
The red shop towel folded 6 -8 times, attached to the end of a flexible stick using a rubber band, takes care of reaching into tunnels.
I try not to use a bright boy or track eraser too much, it will eventually remove the plating on the track rails (unless it is unplated- stainless, brass, or nickel silver).
The LGB cleaning block (Article No. 50040) works great on (larger scale) brass or nickel-silver track:
Regards
Fred
Best I found is the new PIKO clean machine for G track. It employs two specially designed spring loaded replaceable ribbed pads. My battery powered version has ample weight and four traction tires on a model of a 25 ton diesel switcher. Cleans my small indoor layout thoroughly in about 25 minutes with NO debris such as that left from a "bright boy" or a sandpaper block! The pads have a minimal abrasive action and they are absorbant. The clean machine comes with two extra pads, which easily slip on or off. Their unique design is different from the usual track cleaning pads, thanks to German technology!
Just curious if anyone else has used the PIKO Clean Machine with success, especially outdoors.
