Read an article on page 20 of the July MR concerning using Labelle 101 oil to clean track. Does anybody have and experience with this method ? sounds like it would work, but rather than worry about damaging the plastic with too much oil, soaking a swab and rubbing it in the wheels and track would be easier. Also where would it be available, any input would be helpful.
doug
I don't usually respond with this type of advice, but would you consider doing a search under "track cleaning"? This subject has been discussed in about 10 lengthy, and highly informative, threads over the past 18 months or so. Not trying to give you the brush-off, but I worry that everyone is kind of exhausted by the subject, and it is so well covered elsewhere.
Tell you what, I'll do a search and edit this post if I can find one or two to link.
BTW, the oil you mention is hobby oil, to the best of my recollection, and is meant to be safe for plastics. If I am mistaken, someone is sure to put me...and you...right.
Later. Between these two, you should get all there is in the way of collective wisdom about how to effectively clean track and how to reduce your track cleaning. Good luck.
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1030566/ShowPost.aspx
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/681480/ShowPost.aspx
In fact, do a search and use the word "GLEAN".
There's a process described where you lightly sand the track, burnish the track and then polish it. Seems like it works pretty well.
selector wrote: I don't usually respond with this type of advice, but would you consider doing a search under "track cleaning"? This subject has been discussed in about 10 lengthy, and highly informative, threads over the past 18 months or so. Not trying to give you the brush-off, but I worry that everyone is kind of exhausted by the subject, and it is so well covered elsewhere.Tell you what, I'll do a search and edit this post if I can find one or two to link.BTW, the oil you mention is hobby oil, to the best of my recollection, and is meant to be safe for plastics. If I am mistaken, someone is sure to put me...and you...right.Later. Between these two, you should get all there is in the way of collective wisdom about how to effectively clean track and how to reduce your track cleaning. Good luck.
I think this reply is borderline rude. Someone with 26 posts is going to ask a question that may have been covered before. I am going to ask questions that are going to have been asked before. We all are at some point. To essentially be all but told to go away and play in the sandbox is not an appropriate response to a LEGITIMATE question. With more that 8000 posts you are likely to read repeat questions repeatedly. If you are bothered by the repeat question, just don't answer and read a more pleasing post.
I've been reading several posts lately and am getting quite perplexed by the lack of civility and professionalism being displayed here. These forums are to help others. Period. Leave all attitudes at the door.
I agree with Dustin, this hobby is supposed to be fun.
Besides, there are no silly questions, except those not asked.
Now to the initial question:
Personally, I question the logic of using oil on metal wheels and rails for cleaning. The coefficient of friction required to pull any load would seem to be eliminated by this practice.
Maybe it's just me, but I'll stay with a Brite Boy for the track and use alcohol to clean the locomotive wheels.
Dustin wrote: I think this reply is borderline rude. Someone with 26 posts is going to ask a question that may have been covered before. I am going to ask questions that are going to have been asked before. We all are at some point. To essentially be all but told to go away and play in the sandbox is not an appropriate response to a LEGITIMATE question. With more that 8000 posts you are likely to read repeat questions repeatedly. If you are bothered by the repeat question, just don't answer and read a more pleasing post. I've been reading several posts lately and am getting quite perplexed by the lack of civility and professionalism being displayed here. These forums are to help others. Period. Leave all attitudes at the door.
You are entitled to your opinion, including that this is a "professional" forum.
You are doubtlessly unaware that there has been a lot of acrimony here recently, and I was trying to stem what could be an invitation to jump all over this gentleman. If you choose to see my reply as anything but helpful, may I suggest you try some introspection and spend a bit more time reading here to get a flavour for the pulse these days. With 8000 posts, you can be sure I have.
For the record, I did acknowledge that my reply could be mistaken for being a "brush off". If it were my intent, why would I bother? I also went back and found the threads to which I alluded, if you recall...is that a sign of discourtesy in your neck of the woods? Again, had I a contrary intention, why would I have bothered?
If you would like to believe that I was lying, then you are again entitled to your opinion...nothing I could say is going to dissuade you from that notion.
Belief is convenient.
Cheers.
Questions just need to be answered or not answered. No disclaimers.
I took the liberty of editing your first reply to emphasize what I mean:
You should consider doing a search under "track cleaning". This subject has been discussed in about 10 lengthy, and highly informative, threads over the past 18 months or so.
I'll do a search and edit this post if I can find one or two to link.
Between these two, you should get all there is in the way of collective wisdom about how to effectively clean track and how to reduce your track cleaning. Good luck.
There. Much more polite and equally effective. The red lettering is what I added for grammatical neccessity. The deletions I made speak for themselves in the overall tone of the post. Simple, yet effective.
I am only sorry I do not have anything to add that may help with track-cleaning, thus I look forward to everyones ideas.
Dustin wrote: Questions just need to be answered or not answered. No disclaimers.
Nonsense. I write and educate for a living, and have done so for years at a university. Additionally, I wrote policy for the Canadian Government for a number of years. I would guess that I must have learned about grammar, syntax, and tone prior to my selection.
Dustin wrote: I took the liberty of editing your first reply to emphasize what I mean:You should consider doing a search under "track cleaning". This subject has been discussed in about 10 lengthy, and highly informative, threads over the past 18 months or so.
That would be rude...telling him what he "should" do. Instead, I like my way where I invite him to do it...giving him the benefit of the doubt that he may not have seen the facility below. In civil discourse, "would" is the polite form formally. Telling someone they "should" do anything is akin to lecturing...I wasn't going to lecture anyone with only 20 some-odd posts.
Dustin wrote: I'll do a search and edit this post if I can find one or two to link.BTW, the oil you mention is hobby oil, to the best of my recollection, and is meant to be safe for plastics. If I am mistaken, someone is sure to put me...and you...right.Between these two, you should get all there is in the way of collective wisdom about how to effectively clean track and how to reduce your track cleaning. Good luck.There. Much more polite and equally effective. The red lettering is what I added for grammatical neccessity. The deletions I made speak for themselves in the overall tone of the post. Simple, yet effective.
Was my post grammatically wanting? It certainly was not impolite. Once again, effective writing is how I made a living until recently.
Dustin wrote: I am only sorry I do not have anything to add that may help with track-cleaning, thus I look forward to everyones ideas.
And I, in turn, am sorry that this gentleman's thread has gotten off on a tangent unnecessarily.
/cheer Selector (sorry for continued thread derailment :\ )
I agree 100%. If folks new or old took even 60 seconds to do a quick search, you'd notice that nearly anything you could ever want to know about MRR has already been answered.
While new folks are always welcome, the forum is a knowledge base, the users here have created this knowledge base, I think all selector was trying to request is, use what is here, lets not re-create the wheel every time someone has a question.
All that said, when I first got here, I overlooked the search and asked questions that had been asked before, since I figured out the search feature of this boards, I rarely ask questions because none of them are "new".
I could not agree with selector more...
First, a search OFTEN turns up results... I use the search all the time to find old relevant data. I try to only post after doing this (see my previous post on brass tubing bending... I could find no relevant threads to this prior.... excluding brass wire which is a different beast...)
Second, I think selectors post was VERY appropriate. He used the interogative mood rather than the imperative (using the word WOULD not should was MUCH more polite). He even had a disclaimer! Jeesh peeps, stop whining/bashing... Enough on this already! (Sorry, I hate to fan the flames, but selector is a respectable poster (and heck of nice guy, IMHO) and should NOT be abused like this!)
Brian
I thought Crandell's (Selector) response was just fine and had an amiable tone. Obviously, the folks that found his post rude do not understand just how much of a contributor to the forum Selector is. I have never seen a post by Selector that is anyway rude, offensive, sarcastic or contentious. He is a gentleman and an asset on this forum.
And explaining how to perform a search is a perfectly legitimate and civil response to a new poster. Have a nice day!
Selector, I am smiling as I am thinking of a roundtable discussion at my company the other day about having "carefrontations" rather than "confrontations" with coworkers. And you are correct, the words can hurt, "should" versus the use of "would" can make a huge difference.
I only hope that one day I can write and communicate with half the skills you have!
(in Popeye's bashful voice) Gee, yer imbearaskin' me.
Really, I appreciate your kindnesses and for rallying to my defense, fellas. It makes me feel good, especially after these past several days.
selector wrote: I don't usually respond with this type of advice, but would you consider doing a search under "track cleaning"? This subject has been discussed in about 10 lengthy, and highly informative, threads over the past 18 months or so. Not trying to give you the brush-off, but I worry that everyone is kind of exhausted by the subject, and it is so well covered elsewhere.Tell you what, I'll do a search and edit this post if I can find one or two to link.BTW, the oil you mention is hobby oil, to the best of my recollection, and is meant to be safe for plastics. If I am mistaken, someone is sure to put me...and you...right.Later. Between these two, you should get all there is in the way of collective wisdom about how to effectively clean track and how to reduce your track cleaning. Good luck.http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1030566/ShowPost.aspxhttp://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/681480/ShowPost.aspx
What a difference a day makes. I shouldn't respond to posts when in a mood. I re-read this post today and to be honest, can't find any fault with its tone at all. So, I must apologize to Selector for jumping all over his reply in such a knee-jerk fashion. Perhaps, more importantly, I need to apologize to Doug whoose poor post got completely sidelined by my "good intentions".
Sigh... I need a beer.
Again, my apologies Crandell.
Thanks,
Dustin wrote: selector wrote: I don't usually respond with this type of advice, but would you consider doing a search under "track cleaning"? This subject has been discussed in about 10 lengthy, and highly informative, threads over the past 18 months or so. Not trying to give you the brush-off, but I worry that everyone is kind of exhausted by the subject, and it is so well covered elsewhere.Tell you what, I'll do a search and edit this post if I can find one or two to link.BTW, the oil you mention is hobby oil, to the best of my recollection, and is meant to be safe for plastics. If I am mistaken, someone is sure to put me...and you...right.Later. Between these two, you should get all there is in the way of collective wisdom about how to effectively clean track and how to reduce your track cleaning. Good luck.http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1030566/ShowPost.aspxhttp://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/681480/ShowPost.aspxWhat a difference a day makes. I shouldn't respond to posts when in a mood. I re-read this post today and to be honest, can't find any fault with its tone at all. So, I must apologize to Selector for jumping all over his reply in such a knee-jerk fashion. Perhaps, more importantly, I need to apologize to Doug whoose poor post got completely sidelined by my "good intentions".Sigh... I need a beer.Again, my apologies Crandell.Thanks,
Dustin, that was very nice of you to come on here with that message. You are a true gentleman. We rarely see anyone on here hold themselves accountable for their comments. It happens to all of us. Thanks again for that apology to Crandell.
Dustin wrote:What a difference a day makes. I shouldn't respond to posts when in a mood. I re-read this post today and to be honest, can't find any fault with its tone at all. So, I must apologize to Selector for jumping all over his reply in such a knee-jerk fashion. Perhaps, more importantly, I need to apologize to Doug whoose poor post got completely sidelined by my "good intentions".Sigh... I need a beer.Again, my apologies Crandell.Thanks,
Dustin, no harm, no foul. I must admit, though,... you had me going. I only slept four hours last night (getting to bed at zero dark thirty didn't help) because I was working over this in my mind. I couldn't understand what you were getting at. Then, when the other person agreed with you, I began to wonder if I was losing it.
Looking back over my own words, I think I could agree that I was a bit lazy. I should have cleaned up all the chaff once I had gone back and edited the post.
Anyway, I do thank you for offering me an apology, and I accept it happily. See you on the rounds. Rails, whatever.
-Crandell
steve58 wrote: In fact, do a search and use the word "GLEAN".There's a process described where you lightly sand the track, burnish the track and then polish it. Seems like it works pretty well.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Gentlemen
It was not my intention to start a war of words about a post. nor was it a request to find a way to clean track, as I already use the gleam method to do so. I simply saw a product in the July issue of MR that I was not familiar with and wondered if any body had any experience with it. As nobody answered in the affirmative, I will assume nobody has used the oil in question.
Actually, the oil is put on AFTER cleaning; it actually does not clean, but prevents oxidation...
Wow... I knew Selector was a first class gentleman and now we have another.
Thank you, Dustin!
Jarrell
And now anyone reading through this thread is aware that this forum contains some truly spectacular gentleman!
In the course of human interactions, disagreements happen. I think the dialog presented on this thread indicates a "professional" attitude among the members. Opinions are offered and misunderstandings sometimes occur, yet in the end, gentlemen are gentlemen.
It's an honor to be able to converse with all of you.
Darrell, quiet...for now
Three cheers to everyone from keeping this professional and keeping this civil... I know I have had days where I regretted hitting the send button on email because of a long night on call and my foul mood... glad I am not the only one who has this happen on occasion! Good day all and happy railroading!
In response to the original poster. I have found a interesting meathod to keep the track at peak performance. It actually involves running trains around as much as possible. I know this may sound silly but when nothing is ran on the track it allows dust to collect alot faster as apposed to when you run somthing daily and alot. While you still need to clean the track every so often a bright boy does trick on the simple and smaller to mid sized layouts.
If you run a large to huge Layout I would suggest some kits that allows you to mount Track cleaning gear on a Loco or rolling stock.
http://www.willegal.net/railroad/rr-tc.htm
http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=249
I use the masonite track cleaning car, it's cheap and works great. Also for the hard to reach places I use a 1 foot long 1/4"X1/4" square piece of balsa wood. And some spot cleaning with the eraser type (like the Walthers Bright Boy).
The oil or fliud ones just put a film on the rails that caused more problems than good.
Alcohol and q-tip for wheels.
I'll just answer the original post. about twice a year I gfo over the track lightly with a Bright Boy track cleaer block. Then I put a drop of Wahl Hair Clipper Oil on each rail at one of the layout and then run a locmotive over the entire layout. This has been working great for me for 25 years or more.
Ted H.