Winter running help

[cttrr]

I am in the Chicago area and need some help. What is the trick to keeping trains running in the snow and when it gets below freezing, I assume that there is something that can be put on the rail (whal clipper oil?) that repels water so that it does not freeze on the rails. I set up three circles of track for the holidays so battery power is not an option, I am using small 4 axle LGB diesel and steam locos, any help is appreciated I just got done crawling around on my knees in the snow cleaning track with a drywall sponge for about an hour to no avail.

[Curmudgeon]

Oil?
Enought to keep water running off will give you zip traction.
I run in rain, snow, anything that gets thrown at me.
Radio Battery.
TOC

[Marty Cozad]

Why is battery NOT an option? Those locos should not drain the battery that fast.
Winter takes the fun out of track cleaning.

[FJ and G]

short of a propane torch, cttr, I'm not sure. Even w/out snow like here in VA, I notice a light frost on the rails in the mornings until the temps rise enough to melt it; just like the real RRs.

[Tom The Brat]

"Winter takes the fun out of track cleaning."

Great line, Marty!

[Curmudgeon]

440VAC on the rails......
Nah, best not.....

[Anonymous]

Ahh,why not.
Keeps the cats off.!

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Dogs won't pee there either, at least not the 2nd time!

[Puckdropper]

Clean the rails off and get a heavier locomotive. More weight on the axels = more traction. Also, get more powered wheels. As the indoor scale guys know, dead spots occur all over and you need more power pick ups to get around them.

If you don't have powered drive wheels, you could put a rubber ring around them.

[cttrr]

So maybe batts are the option. How do I go about finding a system

[Tom The Brat]

I took an aristo trackside receiver out of the case and mounted it in the tender with 2 battery holders from Radio Shack, a switch and 12 plain old AA batteries. Will run the loco two afternoons for $4 worth of batteries. Great for taking to shows and open houses. I wired the switch so I can switch to track power, but I haven't switched it that way[;)]

[FJ and G]

I was mulling this question over and when ice forms on the rails, it doesn't matter if it's battery powered or not; the train will still not run. The trick is not to let ice form in the first place and to bru***he track off at first snow (even before you do the sidewalks) so it doesn't get caught in the tthaw/freeze cycle.

If it freezes anyway, there's a product now being offered for a mere $10 at Harbor Freight that is a super powered heater gun, used for "melting" electrical shrink tube around wires. It puts out something like 800 deg of heat. Esp useful around turnouts.

[Tom The Brat]

Careful of your ties[:D]

[markperr]

Actually, battery power WILL run on ice. It just takes longer to get started and longer to stop. Oh, and the hills can get pretty tough.

Mark[:D]

[Anonymous]

Ya just gotta get around to installing those sanders...........[:o)][:D]
Sure am glad I live in Florida.[:D]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

What were you saying Wilma?