Trains.com

Train cleaning

638 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2009
  • 13 posts
Train cleaning
Posted by jadmiral on Sunday, December 26, 2010 2:30 PM

My son brought home a bunch of trains from Grandma's attic this Christmas. What is the safest way to clean them? They are not in bad shape, mostly dirt and grime.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, December 26, 2010 2:54 PM

the track I would use scotch brite pads the ones without soap. the cars I would start with a mild liquid detergent and carefully wipe the cars you need to be careful as some care are actually painted not molded. don't use anything abrasive.

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Virginia
  • 544 posts
Posted by TRAINCAT on Sunday, December 26, 2010 6:59 PM

Anything painted red leave it alone. Anything with white lettering, do not wash the lettering. Most other things I use the mild dish soap and a worn tooth brush but do not scrub the lettering.

Roger

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 1,786 posts
Posted by cwburfle on Monday, December 27, 2010 4:49 AM

As has already been posted the washability of Lionel trains varies greatly.
In addition to the comments above:

1 - don't scrub anything.  I use a old, well worn, soft chip brush to clean trains.
2 - be careful with the soap you select - I find that hand dishwashing soap is generally best
3 - don't rub anything to dry - I shake excess water off, and hand in front of a fan. Sometimes I will blot excess water

Sometimes these techniques will not remove all the dirt. But which is better, a little dirt, or lettering / paint/ decorations spoiled?

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month