chemical track cleaning?

[Lloyd2]

I purchased some heavily weathered used LGB brass track. The rail joiners are weathered, even inside the joiners, so that power will not pass from section to section. Removing rail joiners looks difficult, so I cannot imagine how to clean inside the rail joiners which are attached to the rail ends. Is there any chemical that can clean inside these rail joiners and the rail ends? Soldering a wire connection between track sections is not an option because the tracks will be disconnected and stored after Christmas. Any suggestions?

[ttrigg]

It has been my experience that once a rail joiner fails from the inside it is lost. LGB joiners have a small tab that is bent down into the tie. 2 possible methods of removal. 1. grab the rail joiner with needle nose pliers, rail with "padded" gripping pliers and pull rail back towards the ties. Rail will slip out of the rail joiner. 2. Slip a small flat tip screwdriver into the rail joiner and spread it, use larger flat tip do it again then an even larger flat tip, now with needle point pliers flatten out the joiner, now gently pull down and back under the ties and the joiner will slip out. Done slowly will not damage ties or rail. Clean the rails with a wire brush and install NEW rail joiners.

[Lloyd2]

Thank you, Tom. You confirmed my fear, but your description of the solution is very clear. We'll see if I am up to the challenge. I'm off to buy some new rail joiners! Thanks again. (PS, sounds like I'm not the first person to have this problem. I appreciate your willingness to share your solution.)

[ttrigg]

When you go shopping for new rail joiners, I would suggest one other item be put on your shopping list. Band-Aides. I used one new band-aide for every three joiners removed.