Cleanliness is next to DCC connectivity! Thank You from a Newbie!

[Bill54]

There has been several threads on keeping your track clean and how it affects DCC operation. Well, I posted a couple of threads about how my DCC system was not operating up to par even after I had cleaned the track. Several people suggested the use of a cotton cloth with a solvent laid over the tracks with half the engine’s trucks running on the cloth and the other half spanned on the tracks for connectivity.

I did this for 4 of my locos this evening AND cleaned the track again with rubbing alcohol and a cotton cloth. After doing so every engine I cleaned ran on the DCC system without incident for more than an hour.

So my lesson learned is what I’ve heard so many on this forum speak about “Keep the track and the wheels on your locos as well as your rolling stock CLEAN”!!!!!!!!

It works for real! Or as the old Monkeey’s recording says…I’m a believer!

I can’t remember who spoke about using the cloth across the tracks and applying power to the other trucks as a technicue to clean the wheels but I am greatly appreciative of their suggestions.

Thanks to everyone,

Newbie Bill

[jeffrey-wimberly]

When it comes to having clean track that stays clean, you might want to try this. It was posted by one of the other members. It worked for me. It's called 'GLEAM'.

QUOTE: (Originally posted by Semafore)

I'm talking GLEAM!: ULTRA_SHINY and Smooth rails can now be had with my 'WHAT box?" approach to this conductivity problem. An HO modeller since 1970, I know the problem WELL!
THIS IS A ONE-TIME PROCESS. DO ALL TRACK!!
1] On an appropiate-sized block, use 400 wet/dry paper to remove the extrusion milling left on the railheads. The block must span both rails.
2] Now use 600 or finer, repeat process.
3] Using an appropiate-sized STAINLESS-STEEL piece, apply moderate pressure and BURNI***he rails! The more you slide back and forth, the smoother and shinier the rails become! [ the GLEAM part ]. This is because you have removed the ridges, bumps, and pits. Burnishing helps seal pores with metal, eliminating traps for dirt and tarnish; almost like a MIRROR!
4] [For Bob H.] Use BLUE MAGIC or equivalent metal poli***o deep-clean the remaining contaminates.
5] Last, buff the rails to your eye's content!
The shine is 5x more lusterous than just polish alone. The wax left behind is minimal, is not insulating, and virtually eliminates rail cleaning.
This is a process HOT OFF THE PRESSES! [Of my brain] I've only been at it 6 weeks with amazing results! {I just added the wax step today.} prior to that, though, the NS HO rails I'm guinea-pigging (300') sans wax STILL gleams today, with slight tarnishing, so I'm gonna wax 'em next!
I will also try some classic brass rail to see how that stands up.

AND REMEMBER; NO MORE ABRASIVES...EVER!!!!!!
Or you'll just ruin your mirror finish, and will have to gleam and wax AGAIN!
Dry-wipe with paper towel or cotton. You can always polish anytime; wipe away excess.

I've had DCC and DC locos/lash-ups creep at a scale 3-5MPH around the staging level loop 100' with NO STALL or FAULTER. gotta love it