need help on whistle tender

[alcofanschdy]

I have a small 3x7 layout using 031 tube track and a MTH Z-750 transformer.  Two locos I'm questioning are a 4-4-2 starter set steamer about 10 yrs old and a 2026 post war steamer.  Both whistle tenders will go off randomly around the track without pressing the whistle button on the Z-750.  There is no one place that it happens, it can be any where.  Why is this happening and what can I do about it?  Thanks

Bruce 

 

[j.t.]

Try cleaning the track. It sounds funny but it works.

[jwse30]

Try cleaning the track. It sounds funny but it works.

It does sound funny, but dirty (dusty) track is likely a contributer to the problem. While you're at it, try cleaning the pickup roller (the roller that rolls on the center rail) on the tender, and the wheels of the tender as well. 

J White

 

[alcofanschdy]

Thanks for the advice guys.  Whats the best way to clean the track and roller?  Also in a related way I also have some old 027 track that I wanted to clean up and use for next years Christmas tree layout.  It has some rust and is fairly dirty.  Thanks

Bruce 

[thor]

Bruce, for cleaning the track I use Scotchbrite if its really grungy/rusty and rubbing alcohol on a pad of paper towel if its just the normal day to day accumulation.

Others offer their own remedies which I'm sure are as good if not better. 

However, warning, be careful not use water based cleaning solutions on FasTrack which, in my case, seems to have a propensity to rust at amazing speeds.