Cleaning O Gauge Track

[Anonymous]

I'm really new at this.

I'm looking for any suggestions for cleaning my o gauge track. I've had my set for a few years, it was my fathers before me, and I generally just bring it out this time of year. My 3-year-old loves it. Needless to say, the track is old and dirty which 'coupled' with original (puny) transformer doesn't add up to a very fast train.

Also, any ideas for a new transformer for just a little extra power for the holidays
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[ben10ben]

I like to use Goo Gone followed by rubbing alcohol to clean the dirt off. If there's rust or other corrosion, I usually precede the solvent cleaning with a Scotchbrite pad, or, for really bad track, 120 grit sandpaper.

Don't neglect your locomotive wheels, pickup rollers, and rolling stock wheels as well. To clean locomotive wheels, I like to power the engine upside down with alligator clips(Radio Shack), set it running slowly, and use one or a combination of the above mentioned cleaning methods to clean the wheels while they're turning. For rolling stock wheels, I like to use a wire brush in my dremel tool to clean off the crud quickly, easily, and completely. You'll be amazed at the difference. I usually do pickup rollers the same way.

For a transformer for an older set, I like the Lionel 1033 or 1044. Both of these provide 90 watts of power, and can run almost any engine Lionel has made fairly well. They're anywhere from $20-40. If that's what you already have, you might want to step up and get an LW. The LW has 125 watts of power, and an excellently styled case. They run anywhere from $40-100