I've heard that electrical contact cleaner (CRC) works well and promotes conductivity.
About 8 months ago I did some reading on the Gleam method and did it. I haven't cleaned the track since and trains run great.
Springfield PA
Hi,
here is a post with regards to track cleaners that I have posted a while ago. http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/152048/1681834.aspx#1681834
I own both the Atlas track cleaning machine in which you can use a liquid, vacuum and polish the CMX clean machine and also home made up some box cars with a masonite pad underneath them. From the experience on my layout it is the CMX track cleaner that works the best. The Atlas track cleaner can dispense a liquid as well but you can not adjust the flow of the liquid making that feature basically useless in my eyes. The vacuum part works well and so does the polishing part. The CMX track cleaner full of alcohol when run around the layout a few times followed a car with a masonite pad with the pad wrapped in a clean thin rag works the best.
How good does the CMX track cleaner work. After finishing the track work on the main line I had to run some trains. So put a Athearn BB 6 axle diesel on the tracks. I could see two inch sparks coming from the wheels due to a lack of good contact. Ran the CMX track cleaner around the layout about 4 times and no more contact issues.
Hope it helps.
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
http://electrical-insulators-and-copper-ground-bars.com/no-ox-id-a.html
http://www.sourcetelsupply.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=131&osCsid=fe14a1efd3c97e6192cbf63e9d768ab6
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/171-226
Never use an abrassive on your track without following up with a polish. Then add the no-ox and allow to sit for 24 hours. It will penetrate the rails then wipe with a clean dry cloth. Then treat all your loco contacts and wheels, any moving contact.
At this point simply enjoy your trains and clean your track maybe, MAYBE, once every five years.
Try it!
I have a garage layout and I used the gleam method but still needed an occasional alcahol wipe but now I have only wiped my tracks with a dry cloth once in the last 7 months. I now walk out to the garage, turn on the power, dial up a loco and off I go.
John
I am a newbie. And just one man's opinion of course, but after looking at the flex track laying around that I have handled and used for measurements.. seems to have some type of corrosive on it. And before reading this I was wondering in the same lines as 'contact clearner' .. just something to coat it! Preventative at the least. And I always thought thats what it is used for.. better contact. Its only been handled and left out in the open. I'm sure a pic is worth a thousand words... but I care to try it and pro act.
Keith
I never use any cleaning medium on my track. I just run that box car with the pad under it every few months. I clean the pad under the box car with alcohol and an old tooth brush. the track stays nice and clean.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Nice is subjective. What is practical and efficient doesn't have to cost much at all.
-Crandell
Driline tangerine-jack Electrical contact cleaner and lube (formerly known as TV tuner cleaner). Spray on the track and let the train spread it around as it runs. Trust me on this. I don't trust you. Won't that just spread more dirt around? I use the CMX track cleaner. Nice things cost money.
tangerine-jack Electrical contact cleaner and lube (formerly known as TV tuner cleaner). Spray on the track and let the train spread it around as it runs. Trust me on this.
Electrical contact cleaner and lube (formerly known as TV tuner cleaner). Spray on the track and let the train spread it around as it runs. Trust me on this.
I don't trust you. Won't that just spread more dirt around? I use the CMX track cleaner. Nice things cost money.
Good man, don't trust me. Try it for yourself and prove me a liar.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
Centerline. My double decker is connected by a climbing track around the outside. I initially cleaned all the track with metal polish, buffed it. I then run round it all with my Centerline being pushed using GooGone. Really works every time for me.
Barry
Personally, first resort is metal tires. Second is 600 grit sandpaper. Those two have me burnishing the odd 6" segment of track about every two or three months.
Can't complain.
tangerine-jackElectrical contact cleaner and lube (formerly known as TV tuner cleaner). Spray on the track and let the train spread it around as it runs. Trust me on this.
The CMX track cleaner is my favorite and I have tried many of the others. Lacquer thinner, 90% alcohol or Acetone works best for cleaning liquid.
I'm very happy with my CMX machine. It's one of the more expensive ones, but it works so well that it's worth it. I use lacquer thinner as the cleaning fluid in it. I run it about 3 times per year.
I have a subway system, so there are lots of tunnels and places that are either very difficult or impossible to reach any other way. This one does the job.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Walthers has a lot of sophisticated electronic and / or motorized, liquid dispensing track cleaning cars, but I have been using this one:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/931-752
and it works just fine. I use an engine to push it by itself. By pushing it instead of pulling it, it runs across a dirty rail before the electrical pickups on the engine do.
TODAY, which´s the best track cleaner for unreacheable tracks?