Slightly dirty rails will improve traction.

[vsmith]

Instead of scratching up yer rails, why not just add more weight to the engine, thats the easiest way to get additional friction and pulling power without destroying yer track, just my

[Anonymous]

Vic, that might work in G, if you can find enough space, but it didn't always work on the real thing.  The B&O foisted off on to the Alton a 4-6-4 and a 4-4-4 named Lord and Lady Baltimore, respectively.  The Lady was no lady; the weight on just 4 driving wheels spread the rails - not a good thing, at least for track.  The Lady was retired in short order, and the Lord got replaced quickly by a slant nosed diesel so as to not have to stop for water and coal.  Speed was of the essence in those days.

Art

[Anonymous]

I agree I have proven in my own instance; that clean track has better traction than a dirty one. I have a short  section of track that has a 4 % grade and somewhere between an R3 and an R2 curve and my Sachsen will spin its wheels with 4 box cars in tow, when rail is slightly dirty. When clean it will just pull 5 up the hill. Incidentally my Stainz with a powered tender will beat it and my Mallet pulls 7 carriages up the same incline.

Rgds Ian 

[tomikawaTT]

Getting back to the original statement, "Slightly dirty rails will improve traction," it really depends on what the rails are dirty WITH.

Oil, wet clay mud and dripped grill juice are unlikely to help anything - with the possible exception of vocabulary development.

Anything that interferes with getting power to the locomotive is bad - and whether or not it improves traction isn't the reason.

Scale plays a part.  Something that would stop a G-gage train in its tracks probably wouldn't even be noticed by the engineer of a 1:8 scale live steamer.

Unless your loco has operating sanders, bright and shiny is probably the best available choice for rail condition.

OTOH, back about the time I was teething on a Lionel box car, one railroader (O scale, outside third rail) was reputed to deliberately apply 'scale sand,' (scouring powder) to one rail only, to convince his locos to make his worst grade.  I'd be willing to bet that his track looked just like some of the sand-fouled rail seen under N&W Y6's in some half century old photos I have.

If somebody actually does some detailed research on the subject, I'd be happy to read the resulting paper, right after I wipe the metal polish off my rails.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Chuck mate you are quite right, i have an unusual set of circumstances contaminating my rail.

!) I live near the ocean and i get salt laden air.

2) The track runs through tropical palms and ferns which have an exudation into the air.

3) and now i have this problem with ants. It only involves certain types of ants which leave a trail od acid on the rail the passage of electricity through it converts it to a sticky black substance and only certain locos are affected.

I clean my track weekly but i could weel do it twice per week.

Rgds ian

[RR Redneck]

I clean my track before and after every operating session and at least once a week. I clean locomotive and rolling stock wheels once a month (twice if I have run them alot over the course of th e month).

[Anonymous]

Well mate you have a lot more energy than me or else wyou only have a small layout and not many locos or more free time on yopur hands than me and i'm retired.

rgds ian