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Track Cleaning
Lou sent in this question for others to answer:
“After 40 years I decided to try my hand at model railroading again (boy has it changed). I am 75 and retired so I have to watch the dollars. That being said I went to Ebay to buy used track, and got some really good deals. My question is what is the best way and or product to clean Atlas Brass Track.”
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7 Responses to Track Cleaning
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Goo Gone on cotton balls.
Best way to clean track. DON’T GET THE EXTREME STUFF! It will ruin weathering on the track and get rid of the clear coat and will make it so you have to clean it more often.
the best way to clean any track is with a lite grade sandpaper (unuasable track that dirty no train will run), use light pressure only applying pressure to the top of the rail /rails. once you have reasonable clean wipe with a clean rag top of rail and you can buy a track cleaner rolling stock wich you can toe behind a train which will clean the track as the train goes around they are fantastic saves heaps of work make sure you have it the right way around.
I have found that brass track is often a maintance headache unless you have super clean train room and run trains frequently over all the track. Nickel Silver is friendlier regarding maintance issues. We used eraser blocks to clean the top of the rail then vacum the railbed and wipe with alcohol on a paper towel to clean the rail for good contact.
My most recent attempt on cutting down the maintance chore is “NO-OX-ID A Special” R-3266 L1. I am using a toothbrush to apply to the railhead and it will disperse it self into tunnels through running. A little goes along way and I have notcied a slight traction issue if I apply abit to much.
NO SAND PAPER OR ANY ABRASSIVE, JUST USE GOO GONE OR 90% MEDICAL ALCOHOL,
Do NOT use sandpaper!!! You will put scratches on the rails which will eventually fill with crud. Also, scratches will cause arcing which will pit the rails and wheels. My best advice, after working in a model railroad shop for 25 years, is throw the stuff away. Brass track was the curse of the hobby especially if you live in an area with high air pollution as the track will constantly oxidize which will impede electrical contact. Thus the switch to nickel silver.
I strongly agree do not use sandpaper or anything else abrasive. The scratches resulting collect dirt and make cleaning necessary more often. There are many track cleaners available that you can obtain at Hobby shops. Some are made for Nickle Silver while others are madse for brass. Get a cleaner that will remove oxide especially if you haven’t use the tracks for a long while. Rubbing alcohol also works well but will not remove oxides.
Brass cleaner then NO-OX