What is the best way to clean wheels on your locos?

I usually scrub the wheels with Q-Tips dipped in denatured alcohol and then go along them with a dry Q-Tip to pick up any leftover residue. It helps to have a foam locomotive cradle!

I do the same thing Trainwizard says except i turn the engine upside down and power the engine up with test clips on the frame and center roller. dip the tip of the Q-tip in alcohol and rub the cotton q tip on the engine wheels while it is running. clean all the wheels this way,but make sure you have the smoke unit turned OFF. after your done cleaning with the wet q tip, switch to a dry q tip and do the same process until all wheels are dry and clean.

Good luck, this works great.

Alan

I use the Dremel tool with a ScotchBrite buffer pad...

Apply Rail-Zip or another track cleaning product on a paper towel (wide enough for one powered truck) place engine on towel and while holding the engine apply power at a slow speed.  As the wheels turn they will get a good cleaning.  Then repeat on the next truck. This method is fast and can be used even at a train show on their test track if you have a paper towel and cleaner.

 

Jack 

Q-tip and alcohol for me as well.  I use the same for the wheels on my rolling stock also.
Ray.

I'm temped to say run them on someone's layout with freshly cleaned track.

Seriously though; similar to Jack, I pour a bit of rubbing alcohol on a folded paper towel and place it under one truck of the engine.  I apply power and let that wheel set turn slowly on the towel.  I then repeat the process for the other truck.

Normally I clean the wheels only when I'm performing other maintenance on an engine.  Suffice to say I rank it up there with cleaning track as perhaps my least favorite aspect of the hobby.

Curt

I run them upside down in a cradle using Q-Tips and alcohol or laquer thinner... whatever I have handy at the bench.

Scotchbright wheels I use on the cars and track, but not near my gears and bushings. Engine wheels get Q-tips, alcohol, then oil.

  

I use the ScotchBrite pad on a Dremel mandrel and then I use Isopropyl Alcohol on a rag to finish the job.  I also put them in the cradle and run them to clean the powered wheels. 

 

One caution:  Certain steamers will jam the rods run upside down, Marty Fitzhenry warned me about this. 

 

Here's my ScotchBrite wheel...