Track Cleaning

Well, don't use Simple Green!

For hard to reach spaces, particularly inside tunnels, etc., a track cleaning car is a a rather good idea.  I made my own, but there are several good commercial nes available.

I use the track cleaner car from Northeast Trains with two scotchbrite pads instead of the cloth ones it comes with. It is a heavy enough car to run in front of the locomotive to clean siding tracks. I run it all over the layout with no track issues. Everyone I've recomended it to, has been very happy. We also use one for our club layout.

   Ed

I use a couple versions of Dennis' Cleaning cars you make from old cars.

Scotchbrite on the first car, Paper towels on the second. Works like a champ.

I haven't added the brush on the end of one yet, I run mine in the MOW consist.

I'm contemplating a modified dust buster on a flatcar to push around and pick up loose stuff on the track. Someone on here did that and it was reported to work well.

I recently purchased a Centerline track cleaning car from a friend. I really haven't used it much but the few test runs I did with it, I was impressed by the amount of gunk it was picking up. I was only using it dry as well. While I haven't spent much time looking, I've had some difficulty finding the proper rollers for it. If I can't find them at a paint/art supply store, I'll order them from Centerline. 

BlueComet,

I can send you photos and a drawing of how to make your own.  Email me if you want them.

.....

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

I'd appreciate the photos and drawing.  How do I get your email address?

Thanks,

BC

this r and l lines car is the best on I have had.  it uses two two inch paint rollers and are angled and really scrub the rails.  I use lgb smoke and cleaning fluid on them and do you get junk off the rails.  When the rollers get real dirty you just pull them off and put on new as they are only about 2 bucks for two at menards. 

Check out the R & L lines track scrubber at www.railtycoon.com

I just use a soft cloth moistened with alcohol and plenty of elbow grease.  (And I sometimes have some extra alcohol for me too. )

I have a large layout and I use the R & L Lines track cleaner. It works !

Once or twice over the track with denatured alcohol and off you go !

I use two cars with a powerful loco. First car, denatured alcohol. Second car, dry pads.

Result.   .    .    . Clean track !

Scrappy

Note to SJC.

You can find the replacement rollers for the Centerline cleaner at Home Depot in the paint section. Look for the mini rollers.  Joe

what about using a swiffer pole attach the scoth brite to that if you are reaching in tunnels. with my MTH track, I really cleaned that good prior to even doing scenery.  thena 2000 grit paper to get more gunk off mine since mine was just purchased and I never used. 

I built Dennis' track cleaning car a couple of years ago and it works great.  All you need is an engine with enough pulling power to drag it around.  No chemicals on my track, just clean track.

Thanks again Dennis,

Bud

There is a 5 ft. section of straight track I can't reach on my small layout. I use a broom handle with a track-wide wood pad with velcro (the rough half) on it. On this I put a Scothbright pad, use it, then a pad of paper towel with track cleaner. The velcro keeps the pads from slipping as you clean.

Not ONE HD I've been to has the proper ones! 

I have tried several track cleaning techniques, so from experience I cannot recommend any other technique than dry scuffing using the gondola in the sketch, or the design that Dennis offers.

Liquid track cleaners deteriorate traction tires, so if you cannot thoroughly get the cleaning fluid off of the track, you are in for trouble. It's kind of an oxymoron to use cleaning fluid as it contaminates the track just as dirt, dust and traction tire residue do.

Another lesson learned is the cost of track cleaning cars are stratospheric. The gondolas I use and Dennis' design only cost a few dollars, and they are fun to build. Make several and run them often in all of your freight train consists.

I've been using Simple Green on my Fastrack layout for over a year, and it looks brand new and runs like a charm.  SG has certainly had its share of bad press here in recent months, so based on that I wouldn't choose to recommend it.

I can't believe some of the stuff people put on their tracks!  If there's uncertainty, I'd stick with the brand name track cleaners.

I have used the pledge all surface cleaners that you can use on the laptop screens, its a safe cleaner for all surfaces.  no residue.  I would say no to ammonia based cleaners or anything that leaves a residue,  but, if you cleaning the pieces before the Placement on the layout, I think you can use any good cleaner and rinse with water prior to installing.  then maintain with scotchbrite