Track Cleaning

Just read some of the "best way to clean track" threads.  Sounds like lots and lots of folks ave pristine track and wheels.

I normally don't clean the wheels

I clean my track and wheels on my engines and caboose's and rolling stock because i had so much crude on some of my rolling stock the wheels would vibrate and plus if you have any signals where the train grounds track to work it does not work well with dirty wheels. Also the wheels don't get dirty on my track but at the club it does even thou we clean it there is a couple of guys over grease and oil there engines every month or so. 

I do it for any train slated for Christmas tree duty for that year.  All wheels cleaned, rollers, and track re-cleaned, and lube maintenance performed.

 

None of my equipment has any built up crud anymore.  If I bought it is used, I do that that as soon as get it.

 

I typically clean track, rollers, and wheels on my basement layout infrequently, but a few times a year as needed or if the mood strikes me.  Since I'm audience, its just me that I have to please.

 

 

Aw heck I just let I build up...I never have to replace traction tires that way...

 

In all seriousness, I clean my engines and most cars but not all of them.

I clean the track and most frequently run engines and rolling every month.  I clean and lubricate the trucks twice per year on all equipment.  Cleaning means removal of all crud and lubrication of gears and axles.  It is important to remember, lubrication is only a requirement if there is no sheen on the gears or axles.  Over lubrication should be avoided.

I am not very good at doing either one, I seldom clean track or wheels. My permanent layout has been up since Sept. last year and so far everything still runs well and without problems so I pretty much just leave it alone. I do lube the engines occasionally and fill with smoke fluid and that's about it. Suppose I should check the wheels and track one of these days?  

Car wheels don't normally get cleaned except for lighted ones that need electrical continuity.  Track gets wiped frequently using rubbing alcohol, though.

Don't have to do it very often but when I have I spray Electrical Contact Cleaner on a old toothbrush and scrub away!

Somehow dropped some lines when phone rang.  My answer was for cleaning wheels with toothbrush.  Fastrack I use Dennis's track cleaning car with the Electrical Contact Cleaner on first car and dry pad on second car. Works likes a charm!

I clean tracks about once a year ( sometimes more ).  

 

For the 3 tunnels ( and remote areas ) on my layout I use my R&R Lines track cleaning car.... which has 2 rollers ( uses small paint roller pads ) I mean I could clean the tunnel tracks by hand using the access areas, but its easier to use the track cleaning car ... which I must say is pretty effective.  I put Goo Gone  on the padded rollers and run the car... making one pass through the tunnel,  behind a switcher locomotive.  I then replace the wet Goo Gone rollers with dry rollers and run the car ... again through the tunnel ... this time being pushed ahead of the locomotive.  After doing this the goo is usually gone   

 

The rest of the tracks which are in easy reach ( or not ) I use Goo Gone on a rag then wipe off with a clean cloth.  

 

I do clean off pick up rollers on  my locomotives regularly at all lubrication sessions.   I do lubricate engines regularly and keep a detailed log of the the maintainence work.

performed.  I also clean locomotive wheels when I lube the locomotive. Aside from passenger car rollers I rarely ever clean wheels of rolling stock.

GGIH,  this topic, NOT AGAIN

 

 

I use a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol, on the pick up rollers.

So Bernard, if you don't like the topic, why did you waste your time adding a 100% useless post instead of just moving on or not even reading the thread to begin with? 

 

 

All - thanks for responding. 

     Has anyone here thought about contacting S-n-S Trains in Boise, ID and having a track cleaning car produced? They use can motors with scotch brite pad discs installed. They have been producing these cars for "S" for many, many years. They are the best out there. No fluid involved.

Dave, LBR

The techie at my LHS showed me his system. He uses a rubber wheel on a Dremel. After placing a car or engine upside down on a foam cradle he uses the Dremel tool to clean the wheels. You can see the change from grey to silver. Each car takes less than 3 minutes. Pretty simple.

 There is THIS track cleaning car by Weaver sold through MNP at various local dealers. Looks as good as it works. Comes in a few car types and different road names.

SJC,

After fighting the problem for years it went away. Once I made the complete switch to Lucas' Petroleum Products exclusively. Up to the time my layouts were taken down, all I had to do was a light dusting. 

 

These threads make me realize most folks here must run their trains a LOT more than I do.  Aside from occasionally wiping down the contacts/wheels of my locomotives, nothing much else seems to need cleaning.

 

For track... twice a year I'll wedge a piece of old washcloth under the trucks of a caboose and let a locomotive drag that around the layout a couple dozen times. Done.

 

I do enjoy all the debate this topic seems to create, though.  

 

 

I've followed he various threads on this subject and picked up some helpful hints.  There was another thread awhile back regarding dust in the train room and how to solve that problem.  In my experience, it's the dust and lubrication causing many of the problems we encounter with dirty track.  A good question to ask is what is the best lube to use that does not come off the gears, and how much should we really use.  Also, what is the best air cleaner and what size to keep our layout area dust free.  Obviously there is a cost involved when we start to discuss air cleaners, but perhaps the cost is worthwhile compared to the time and labor involved cleaning track.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS !! remember when it says one drop of lube more than that is not
a good thing. Most people over lube by 100%.
Dave, LBR

> On March 23, 2015 at 8:29 AM O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum
> <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:
>

Around once a year I clean the track and all wheels.  I do pretty much the same thing as Trumptrain (using a paper towel for accessible track and the R&L Lines car for hard to reach areas), but I use 91% alcohol instead of goo gone.  Some people don’t like plastic trucks, but the fast angle axles can be removed which makes cleaning a lot easier.  I made a gig so I can use one wheel to rotate the axle while I clean the other one.

I have found that keeping the track clean keeps the wheels clean as well.

And I run my track cleaning MOW train regularly.

2 of Dennis' cars do the job well for a few bucks a year in scotchbrite pads.

And I made the cars for about a dollar each from old cheap plastic gondolas.