What do you clean your track with?????

[CPPedler]

Until recently I've always used a Peco track cleaner, which is an abrasive rubber block , however since I have turned to DCC, I've been told that this not recommended as it , not surprisingly scratches the rail, and can interfere with the DCC current flow . Can someone surgest an alternative method ???
Thankyou, CPPedler.

[Anonymous]

An inexpensive two oz paste in a tube called MAAS. It's used by Boeing, DouglasMcDonnell and almost
every branch of our military.
Read about it at www.maasinc.com and then go out to Walmart, home cleaning materials section and buy some @ $3.50 per two ounce tube. Maybe at some Home depots & Ace.
Application: Take that peco track block, get an old 100% cotton t-shirt, and cut it into 5"/6" strips, same width of the peco, wrap the t-shirt material around the peco, apply MAAS on the wide narrow
edge and drag across the rail head. This way, you don't overlap and you do two rails at the same time.
Let slightly dry and wipe off with an untreated t-material around the block. I keep two blocks handy,
one for application, one for wiping.
THANKS! Modelrailroader, January 2003

SORRY, just realized that you are in the UK.

Similar metal polishers, such as automotive POLISHING compound will have the same effect.

[Anonymous]

I've been using the Peco block pretty much forever. I've switched to DCC within the last few weeks and not noticed any problems with scratched rails as a result of using the block. It's a very fine abrasive so shouldn't cause any trouble so long as you're not too heavy-handed with it. I do know that coarser stuff like sandpaper is a very definite no, that will rip your rail surfaces to shreds within minutes. Hope this is of help!

[Anonymous]

I have used rail zip for a long time ,usually appy several drops in different locations on the layout then run a few times I use the train to spread the cleaner as it works not by abrasive scrubbing but by chemical reaction,this also cleans the wheels of the loco at the same time. after running I allow the track to set overnight and then just wipe off with a towel or rag in the morning. I have very few problems due t o dirty track. Terry.

[Pruitt]

I use an old John Allen-style track cleaning car - a old Athearn reefer with a masonite pad underneath that slides along the rails. The car goes into a train and simply rolls around the layout wherever its route dictates, cleaning the rails as it goes.

I plan on building several more, to get better coverage as track expands.

[cmrproducts]

Using the metal polish has eliminated any track cleaning for at least a year at a time and this includes me working on the layout making dust.

If you like to clean track use the other stuff, but if just want to run your trains and this includes your sound units without any interruptions then use the metal polish.

You do not have to use MAAS brand, ANY metal polish (except Brasso) will work. I have used Blue Magic (a liquid) and Mothers Mag Wheel Polish with equal results.

I have over 2600 feet of track to clean and I do not like to clean track period! So when I found the metal poli***rick it has eliminated that weekly chore of cleaning engine wheels and track.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[Anonymous]

I use the " Brightboy " track cleaner.It looks like a dirty eraser,and this little guy works better than ANY other method to clean track. Granted i'm sure that there are other "perfect" methods to clean the track from other modelers,and that is fine,but i'd like to know how many of you, have had to pull track up due to using your track cleaning methods? Always remember this,NEVER use any type of chemical, or abrasive (SOS pads,sandpaper,and yes even isopropyl alcohol),these among others WILL cause the track to slowly be "eaten away ",and deteriorating the track. I'm just giving you some advice,as I do not wi***o see other model railroaders investments get ruined. If you only knew as to how many people and stories, I could tell you about the complaints to me about their track getting ruined,from my days of working in a hobby shop.

[cmrproducts]

cnwfan11

I will have to ask, how often do you have to clean your track?

If is less than once a year then you method might not be working or you like to clean track!

Using metal polish has eliminated cleaning track and lets you run your trains.

I used those old methods and after using the metal polish I threw all of my track cleaning cars away.

But it is your choice but I like to run my trains instead of cleaning the track or engine wheels. Try it and if you don't like it go back to the old way. It is just like they say with DCC you never will go back to the old way!!

BOB H Clarion, PA

[jrbernier]

Here is what I do, and it results in 1 major cleaning per year:

o - I use a 'Briteboy' block to clean off the track, then vacumm.

o - I then run a train consisting of a TTX-CMX car filled with laquer thinner, and a 'sled'
car with a masonite block under it. The laquer thinner dribbles out a a very slow
constant rate and does not melt my plastic ties. The masonite block has a piece of
drywall sanding screen glued to it. The resulting track is super clean.

o - I then clean all engin and car wheels(all of my cars have metal wheels). I can run a
large layout(20 by 25 feet) for the entire season with hardly any stalls.

Jim Bernier

[cmrproducts]

Well I don't clean my car wheels since I moved over to metal polish and I have about 800 cars and about 1/4 of my cars have metal wheels, so the old idea that plastic wheels cause problems is not valid, at least on my layout.

And I do and will not use any type of liquid near my track that has the ability to melt the ties! This would just be asking for trouble on my layout.

I may have to not clean the layout this year and just see how long it will go until the layout just stops.

The only time I get any stalling of equipment is when visiting power is first put on the layout. But once they clean the engine wheels then they are off and running with no stalls.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[Anonymous]

These are the best methods I have found (and use).

1. Walthers Bright Boy

2. WENOL (found in a red tube) consistency like toothpaste and applied with an old
T-shirt

3. MAAS paste

3. BRASSO fluid

4. De-Oxit, found at Radio Shack. Applied with a pencil applicator, WORKS WONDERS!

5. NEV-R-DULL, found in a blue metal can. Has cloth strips impregenated with
metal cleaner, works very well. I find mine at Bomgaars farm store.

I use all of the above cleaners on a rotating basis because they are all VERY
effective.

[cwclark]

I just use a bright boy track cleaning (eraser) and then put a drop of wahl's clipper oil on both rails and let the train carry it throughout the layout...the clipper oil keeps the track very clean and oxidizing rail metal is never a problem...Chuck

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cmrproducts

cnwfan11



I used those old methods and after using the metal polish I threw all of my track cleaning cars away.

I traded up from the $66.00 centerline to the $99.00 Tony's Clean Machine.
After discovering MAAS I layed Tony off, then sold him and used the proceeds to buy
an Atlas loco.

Thank you, thank you, thank you MR January 2003

[Anonymous]

I saw a guy use lighter fluid once, but I've never tried it myself...personally I use the bright boy.


m

[bluepuma]

I'm in N scale, typically don't want junk left on the track, so I clean with alcohol and lint free wipes, recently got a Aztec cleaner which works well with the handi wipe covered roller.

Clean everything, wheels, etc. then use something to keep it clean. The roller is offset to scrub to one side.

[Anonymous]

On our modular club layout we just use rubbing alcohol and a clean rag, making sure to wipe the rails dry after cleaning them as this picks up more dirt.

For a while we tried using Bright Boy abrasive pads, but found they left a gritty residue that was picked up by rolling stock wheels, and the track was actually worse off than before cleaning! If using abrasives, be sure to wipe the track afterwards and vacuum the area too to get all of the grit.

Bob Boudreau

[mcouvillion]

CPPedler,

You'll notice that most guys are going to brass or metal polish as opposed to solvents or abrasives. Larger railroads are a royal pain to clean on a frequent basis. Metal wheels on all rolling stock help keep track clean by preventing the generation of static charge (on the plastic wheels) that attracts dirt to the railhead. Some solvents leave a residue that is the starting point for the next grimy mess and abrasives leave minute scratches for the dirt to take hold. I've noticed this definite change in cleaning philosophy in the last couple of years.

As with all modeling, its your railroad. You have to decide what is appropriate for you. Good luck.

Mark C.

[mecovey]

I tried the MAAS stuff and made a greater mess than I cleaned off the tracks. Something about blue paste on scenery that doesn't do much for me. I then bought a Centerline and tried Goo Gone. More mess. It worked but then I had to clean off the Goo Gone. I finally bought a TTX-CMX Clean Machine and use Acetone. It's kind of like fingernail polish remover on steroids. Results are fantastic. I clean the entire 30' X 54' railroad about once a year by just running a train . I don't have metal wheels yet but that's next.

[AggroJones]

I rub the rails with alcohol soaked q-tips. That keeps 'em relatively clean.

Sometimes I run a modified Athearn boxcar with a slab of masonite mounted on nails petruding into the underframe. It drags along picking up grime.

I've been meaning to pick up some of that MAAS paste, but everytime I'm in Walmart I keep forgetting.

[FThunder11]

I have a Boxcar that has an abraisive pad on the bottem that rides the track

[Anonymous]

Brite boy

[Don Gibson]

OLD WIVES TALES.

QUOTE: "I've always used a Peco track cleaner, which is an abrasive rubber block , however since I have turned to DCC, I've been told that this not recommended as it , not surprisingly scratches the rail, and can interfere with the DCC current flow" - CCPPedler

... any micro scratches not only do not inhibit DCC running, but are polished out by running .

QUOTE:
I just use a bright boy track cleaning (eraser) and then put a drop of wahl's clipper oil on both rails and let the train carry it throughout the layout...the clipper oil keeps the track very clean and oxidizing rail metal is never a problem...posted by cwclark[/i]

OIL - any oil attrracts dirt and will pile up on wheels - metal and plastic.
It will keep yor track shiny, but Check your wheels sometime.

[CPPedler]

Thankyou all you guys out there this has been very helpful , I shall turn to the alcohol ,metorphorically speaching Hic!! CPPedler.

[Don Gibson]

"What do you clean your track with?????" You sure you want to know????

ALLTRACK Alcohol & a clean rag..
ROLLING STOCK: Alcohol:and a paper towel.ENGINES: Acohol an Q Tip's

Occasional 'Brite-Boy. and vacuume.OK.. Oil, never.

Rolling track cleaners work best when used in pairs - One wet one dry..

[tutaenui]

I use a fibre-glass brush, which is OK. I want to try out a metal polish. Layout is in a garage and needs regular heavy duty cleaning to keep it running.