O-gauge track cleaning

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to rejuvenate/resurrect an old Lionel O-27/ O gauge outfit & need some advice... altho my primary train set was O-27, I have a considerable amount of O gauge track & accessories, & a few basic questions: 1) as I have a few dozen pieces of track, how can I clean (no major rust, primarilly oxidation) the track in 'bulk'? 2) I'd like to keep my O/O-27 accessories & rolling stock, what must I do to insure electromechanical compatibility? 3) I need some cosmetic restoration on a Lionel #68 Exec Inspection Car.... electromechanically sound, cosmetic repair of 1/4" crack/ 1/4" dent... repaint (plastic) car if possible... Tx....

[Anonymous]

I use 3M Scotchbrite followed by a wipe down with contact cleaner ( ventilate the room when using the cleaner).

[Big_Boy_4005]

I really like the scotch brite, but I follow up with denatured alcohol. Good results without all the fumes.

[laz 57]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I really like the scotch brite, but I follow up with denatured alcohol. Good results without all the fumes.

DITTO.
laz57

[cnw1995]

Even using the scotch-brite pad - followed by wiping with a clean cloth would work.

[Anonymous]

Tx for all the advice.... I wound up cleaning track (top rails) w/ 'GooGone' followed by Scotchbrite pad....

[phillyreading]

Another way to clean track is with an old pencil eraser but only for small sections, also clean my locomotive wheels this way. A very fine grain sand paper will work like 480 grit or higher into the 500's.

[FJ and G]

I've got a related question. A friend of mine who also runs O toy trains outside uses paintthinnerto clean his rails and wheels. He uses normal Atlas n/s track and I'm using Right O Way Code 148 n/s rails with wood ties. I'll quote what he emailed me:

"Just a little paint thinner on a Scotch-Brite pad that is on a long stick. It has a plastic universal joint, and a long plastic board to mount the 4x8 pad on. Its used to smooth dry wall. It works great because I don't like to bend over.
I use 100% mineral spirits paint thinner, and just enough to wet the very top of the rails. I can't find any evidence that shows it harms the ties on the Atlas track, but I don't know what repeated exposure might do in the long run, so I don't over do it.
I also use a couple of different track cleaning cars in the consist all the time. My favorite on is this one:
http://www.aztectrains.com/ <http://www.aztectrains.com/> I also use the Trackman 4000 car. Its advertised in all the train magazines.
The track cleaning cars make it so I don't have to clean the track by hand all the time. they do maintain the track really well. Enough so that I only use the hand method when I haven't run the trains over say a week, and the gunk on the rails has been allowed to accumulate. "

Please comment.

[Jumijo]

Mineral spirits are a great cleaning agent, David. Best used outdoors though, as is the case here. Many old-timers clean old Lionel motors and gears by dipping them in a mineral spirits bath. And the small amount used on the rails won't affect the stained ties. Mineral Spirits dry too fast to penetrate the stain. Fairly inexpensive as well. 90% Isopropol alchohol would most likely clean the track just as well. That's what I use. Again, very inexpensive.

Jim

[FJ and G]

Thanks, Jim!

[Buckeye Riveter]

My outdoor layout can get extremely dirty. I use Goo Gone and a nylon barbacue grill brush for cleaning. Inside I use Goo Gone, too, but I clean the rais with just a cloth or the Center Line Rail Cleaner.