I am looking to try track cleaning with CRC 2-26 and have some questions. I can not wipe it on as the layout has tunnels and would be to hard to reach in some places.
I was thinking of wetting the pad on my CMX Track cleaning car with 2-26 and send it on its way.
1. Has anyone used this product?
2. If so ,what was the result?
3. Anyone tryed on a pad of a CMX Track cleaning car? With what result?
4. Will running my engines behind clean the Engine wheels?
5. How about the rolling stock. How did you clean wheels?
Harold
Hello All,
Track cleaning methods and solutions are a greatly debated topic amongst hobbyists.
Here's a link to the latest thread...
Track Cleaning? Easy!
This might not be specific to your situation but some of the points you ask are covered.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Those CMX cars could be found for less than $100 on Ebay just a couple years ago.
There was an older discussion of CRC 2-26. No one mentioned the CMX car but you will learn that it does and does not leave a film. It may contain mineral oil, which is non-conductive or it is used exclusively at one MR club and they never have problems.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hello,
I use the CRC 2-26 spray and here's what I have experienced:
1. I would clean the track first before applying CRC 2-26
2. A little goes a long way. You don't need to apply it to all the track. Spray some on a rag and apply to the tops of the rails in 6"-12" areas/sections, allow the wheels of your locomotives and rolling stock to help spread it out.
3. It works well to improve electrical connectivity, especially around turnouts. I have noticed an immediate improvement once applied.
4. If you have inclines and depending on the grade, your loco may experience wheel slip (see #2 above).
Oh, just for clarification, CRC 2-26 is a lubricant that improves electrical properties. CRC does make a separate contact cleaner, in the spray form also.
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
Kerosene and mineral spirits are two widely available and inexpensive cleaners for our hobby trackage. You can wipe a dampened cloth along several inches, lift, repeat further along, and then run a $25 track cleaning car over it to distribute the solvent and to scrub the bearing surfaces.
Clean and close-to-scent-free kerosene can be had for a few dollars at the camping supplies section where they sell wick lantersn.
The CRC 2-26 was something I was told to use for electrical work, but good to know it can serve as a track cleaner.
Would it cause loco wheels to slip even on a 2% incline?
I started the test this afternoon. Here are the results so far.
1. I ran my CMX track cleaning car with a DRY cloth just to wipe off the track
2. I applied CRC 2-26 with a rag for approx 12"
3. Ran a loco over the CRC and around the layout
Here comes the good part. I have a Spectrum 4-4-0 Baldwin Modern which could not go around the layout without stopping at every turnout. After the track was treated this engine did not stop at all and the headlight remain on. It climbed a 2% grade with no problem.
4. It tells you it takes 3-4 hours to dry. Tomorrow I am going to run it again including the grade. I will post the results.
Glad to see you are making progress and things appear to be working out positively. Depending on how often you run trains, you may need to repeat the process.
Ok. Here is the good and bad news
1. Electricly it is running 100% better
2. I tried pulling 10 boxcars up a 2% grade. The GP38 had no problem.
I tried the Spectrum Baldwin Modern 4-4-0 with 4 small ore cars and a caboose. It had a big problem getting up the grade without slipping.
I tried my Climax with 3 log cars and a bobber caboose. NO Problem with the grade.
3. Put my CMX track cleaning car on with a dry pad. It came away with two black streaks. I am gong to run the Track cleaner dry tomorrow. I will fill you in on the results.
Do black streaks ever go away? Seriously, you clean and clean with whatever and rub it with a white cloth and you have black streaks.