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Cleaning a steam engine's wheels?

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  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 86 posts
Cleaning a steam engine's wheels?
Posted by engineerkyle on Friday, August 15, 2014 6:24 PM

Hi all,

 

I while back I got my first steam engine, an HO Bachmann Mogul. I think it's time I cleaned the wheels.

 

I clean my diesel's wheels by running them over a IA soaked piece of denim, one truck, then the other.

 

Now I see all the delicate parts on my steamer including the armatures, the tender, the little wheels by the cow-catcher, etc. Is there a different method for cleaning my new loco?

 

EK

See my models by clicking on the link below

Blue Tombstone Gallery

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: AU
  • 708 posts
Posted by xdford on Friday, August 15, 2014 6:35 PM

Hello EK

Tear some paper towel into strips, wet it with white spirit/denatured alcohol and run your wheels over it lightly one wheel set at a time. 

Having said that, if it is clean enough and the engine is running fine, don't fix it if it is not broke! 

Regards from Australia.

Trevor  xdford.digitalzones.com for your interest

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Friday, August 15, 2014 6:52 PM

Steam engine drive wheels can be cleaned the same way as a diesel locomotive -- run it onto a paper towel or cloth with track cleaner on it and let the wheels spin.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 86 posts
Posted by engineerkyle on Friday, August 29, 2014 4:00 PM
Thanks guys, still haven't cleaned it because it is running very smoothly.

See my models by clicking on the link below

Blue Tombstone Gallery

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,230 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Friday, August 29, 2014 4:10 PM

Don't you have a tiny one of these on your layout?

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Saturday, August 30, 2014 8:17 AM

The tender axle to pickup wipers can get messy at times.  If so, they have to be cleaned manually.  Be careful not to bend the brass tabs and lose the tension that holds them to the axle.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

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