Track Cleaning

[Anonymous]

I just installed a new LGB system (ceiling mount) in the family room. Running an alcohol soaked cloth over the tracks removes a very heavy build up of black film. I don't see how a tracking cleaning car with felt pads could ever keep the tracks clean. Do new locomotives deposit of lot of dirt or is this typical?

[vsmith]

wwolfe01 [#welcome] to the forum

Unfortunalty, yes, it IS typical...especially if your running plastic wheels.

Metal wheels are cleaner, but being indoors I DO NOT recommend it as they are really noisy! Plastic wheels are just plain quieter, I would suggest adding a car like a boxcar with a Bright Boy cleaning pad attached or those cleaning disks and run it behind the engine. It will keep the track clean whenever your run the train. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Hey, welcome, wwolfe. Remember the number one rule: HAVE FUN!!! [:D][:D]

Vic, I gotta disagree with you. I run metal wheels indoors on all my rolling stock and I don't find it all that bad. It's the base under the track that makes as much or more difference than whether the wheels are plastic or metal. [8]

[vsmith]

Well he can try it, but I used 3/16 cork under the track but it still rattled a like heck with metal wheels

[ttrigg]

A hint from my years of running the little stuff on the inside layouts, N and HO; both with lots of plastic wheels. A felt pad under a (insert car of your choice) with a liberal application on "wahle" oil (hair clipper oil) will keep the black goo to a minimum. The clipper oil will also improve electrical conductivity.

[Tom The Brat]

Yep. It's normal. It's a carbon powder that forms between the rails and wheels when you're running track power. It happens in all scales, but LOTS MORE in G. It can accumulate pretty fast. This was from running all day every day for a couple months:

[Train 284]

Wow Torby, that is a lot!

And wwolfe01, welcome to the forums!

[Gavin Sowry]

I've never cleaned my track outdoors in the 7 years it has been down. I use track power, and put a few drops of fine oil similar to Whall on the rail for the train to spread. When  the trains get sluggish, on goes some more oil. Works for me.

   

[Anonymous]

I have used WD40 - and occasionally a very light  cleaning with fine  abrasive pads.Cautionary note - The WD40 did no good at all for my traction tyres ; If you dont have any I guess thats ok. I still use it but run a loco without tyres for a bit and wipe excess off.

[GP-9_Man11786]

I have a Trackman G-2000 track cleaning car and run it around each loop for 5 or 6 laps before the operating session. It works like a charm.

[Tom The Brat]

WD40 isn't plastic compatible. I keep it away from my trains

[Gavin Sowry]

A few years ago, I wrote a bit in GR about how I think any form of abrasive cleaning is asking for trouble. Once the brass rail is minutely scratched, you are providing a repository for dirt to collect.