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Track Sparking

Judy wants to know readers opinions on the cause of sparking on her layout and asks:

“Could someone please tell me what causes sparking between the locomotive and the rail and how do you fix it?”

Comment using the green Comments link below.

2 Responses to Track Sparking

  • Ken Malgren says:

    Generally the cause of sparking between locomotive wheels and track is dirt. Dirty track or dirty wheels or both.
    That said, there are a number of ways to clean track and wheels. Track can be cleaned using ia “Bright Boy” scrubber. It can be kept clean by running a track cleaning car in your consist.
    Cleaning locomotive wheels can be done by putting a paper towel across the track and running the locomotive up onto the towel. There are track and wheel cleaning solutions available commercially.

  • louis davis says:

    Yup just like Ken said. You got to clean your wheels and track.I clean mine with windex or other house hold cleaners.
    Be sure its a nonabbrasive cleaner. I use cotton rounds, you buy them in the make up aile of any store. Before running my train,I wipe the tracks and clean the wheels by laying a doused paper towel on the track. The set each of the trucks on the towel ,the turn power up full.Make sure you hold your engine good or it will get away from you. I clean mine after several days of running. Hope this helps you.

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