Trains.com

Cleaning third rail contacts

1763 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 11 posts
Posted by Stevengl on Sunday, December 9, 2012 3:36 PM

Thanks guys!  Ill give it a try

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • 993 posts
Posted by gunrunnerjohn on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 9:47 AM

I use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean them, then I use my Dremel with a home-made ScotchBrite wheel to polish them to a bright sheen.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • 227 posts
Posted by nickaix on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 9:33 PM

I shined up some postwar rollers with a stainless steel brush in a Dremel, held at an angle so it would slowly rotate the roller as it cleaned. I ran the Dremel at about 15k RPM, and I applied very little pressure and took my time. Worked well, too.

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 11 posts
Posted by Stevengl on Sunday, December 2, 2012 6:48 PM

What kind of solvent do you recommend? 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Warrington, Pa. 18976
  • 269 posts
Posted by Gray Cat on Thursday, November 29, 2012 8:05 PM

Wipe with solvent then, Fiberglass brush? (as used for electronics, available at Rat Shack)

Lover of all things Gilbert, truly a man ahead of his time.

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 11 posts
Cleaning third rail contacts
Posted by Stevengl on Thursday, November 29, 2012 8:30 AM
Anyone have any tips on how to safely clean third rail contacts? I'm going to be doing it on a pre-war lionel set so I dont want to ruin the contact rollers

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month