I clean my loco wheels easily using the soaked paper towel on the rails method. How do i clean the electrical contact points behind the wheels/ bogies. Do I have to dismantle the wheelsets to get to these. I do remove the shells to get to the motor and gearing. Can I use a contact cleaning spray (plastic compatable of course ) with a pipe nozzle to get in there or is this not good enough. I have a few locos that have been stored for up to a few years and they run poorly even after I've cleaned the wheels.
For things like that I use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the backside of the wheels on locos that pickup wipers. On many of my old Proto 2000 locos that pick up current at the outer end of the axles I have to remove the truck side frames to clean the pickup and axle ends. My Athearn's are loads of fun as to clean the pickup route completely the wheelsets have to be removed and disassembled so the axles and insides of the bearing can be cleaned. I find a pipe cleaner to be handy for the bearings. The the slots in the truck frame that the bearings fit into must be cleaned.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I would try WD-40 on the backs of the wheels first. Spray a little in a cup and apply it with a toothpick. If that doesn't work, then you may have to take things apart for a good cleaning and lube.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Go to an electronic supply house and get yourself a (spray) can of non-residue tuner cleaner . . . . . . . . . . and spray away to your hearts content. You probably should plan on relubricating the kit-n-kaboodle when you get done.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
gandydancer19 I would try WD-40 on the backs of the wheels first.
I would try WD-40 on the backs of the wheels first.
jeffrey-wimberly gandydancer19: I would try WD-40 on the backs of the wheels first. I tried that years ago. The WD-40 leaves a residue film that does a great job of attracting dust. It's not friendly to some of the plastics used in our models either.
gandydancer19: I would try WD-40 on the backs of the wheels first.
I tried that years ago. The WD-40 leaves a residue film that does a great job of attracting dust. It's not friendly to some of the plastics used in our models either.
I agree with Jeffrey. In my experience, WD-40 is a lubricant which remains behind after use, and will attract gunk like crazy. Sure, it will aid in electrical pickup for a while, but then you will have a real mess to clean out.
Can't speak to the plastic compatibility.
Tuner cleaner works very will, though.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
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