track cleaning

[Anonymous]

My name is Mike been in model railroading for a few years but of lately I am working on a new layout and have problems keeping track and as well as the truck wheels clean. How are the big layouts maintains and what is the best cleaning solution too use. It seems I constantly have too clean track and break down the wheels and clean and it just about discuss you too go in and turn the switch on. There has too be a better way. Also how often do you clean tracks. Thanks

[thirdrail1]

I swear by Radio Shack TV Tuner Cleaner and Lubricant. After cleaning the track with a "Bright Boy", I apply the tuner cleaner with a small foam rubber brush. Once done, you don't need to use the "bright boy" again for a couple of years. Locomotive wheels can be cleaned by spraying it on the wheels and putting a paper towel on the track, cleaning one truck at a time.
Believe me, this stuff works. You can spray it on the wheels and contacts of a locomotive that has not turned a wheel in a decade and it will run smoothly down the track. (Better lubricate it though.)

[Anonymous]

Initially, I use rubbing alcohol followed up by CRC2-26(home depot $5.50) application similar to thewhat Gregg said about Radio shacks spray. I am still I am still evaluating the merits of CRC2-26.Here are three sites you should visit for great infor.
www.ttx-dcc.com/technews/clean_machine.htm
The underscore line_in address is correct. Read pages two & three for procedures. Next go to www.gatsme.org a club in Ft washington Pa and click on Hints & Tips, then page 4,and read about their CRC procedure and finally on page four click
on the CRC link-then product infor-then electrical
to see crc-26 product line up. I am attempting to get the 16 oz trigger spray bottle(more practical)
Like raking leaves, there's no scientific fast way
to clean track. You are now on your way to having clean track/wheels.

[BRAKIE]

Mike: I agree with what Gregg said about the Radio shack cleaner,this really keeps the track and wheels clean.I refuse to use any thing else! one more thing ,the more you operate your layout the better,I don't know how this works,but the more you run the less you need to clean track. I was a member of a club and we had a large layout and believe this or not, we hardly ever clean the track.but when we did we used the Radio Shack cleaner.