Comments on: Cleaning Track

By: Leo Johansen

Leo Johansen — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 21:08:35 +0000

I have used automatic transmission fluid for years with better results than anything else that I’ve used over the years.(60+ yrs). I put a little on my finger and rub on about 2″ of each rail every 6 – 8 ft.
In the beginning I used a bit of tissue or cloth but found it difficult to only get the fluid on the rail head. Using it on the finger it gives me total control and prevents adding more than is necessary. For the record I am in HO scale with NCE PowerCab and run double-headed trains with 15 cars up 2½ % grade on a 30″ curve with no trouble. I rarely have to clean the track more than about twice a year unless I have been messing around in the layout room and created excessive amounts of dust, an absolute No-No 🙁

Best regards,
Leo Johansen
London, ON

By: Newman Atkinson

Newman Atkinson — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 16:06:59 +0000

Alister, In the past I have had good luck cleaning with just a dab of WD-40 on the cloth on the cleaning wheel of the caboose using strips of what we used to call Handi-Whipes. Reusable wash cloths now sold at Menards plumbing areas under a different name Those cloths are sooo cheap and cut them into strips for replacement of your original cloths that come with your cleaning wheel’. At Train Fest last Fall I ran across a dealer selling and demonstrating a fairly new product called Track and Rail Cleaner ACT6006. it is a little pricey when you first look at it but just a dab on to a Q-tip onto the same cleaning wheel once in a while works great. No complaints so far and so far in a half a year the bottle still looks full it is from Aero-Car Hobby Lubricants PO Box 336 Western Springs, Illinois 60558 Phone 708-246-9027 also achlubes.com and so far I have had no residue collecting on the rails and no effects from plastic wheel. I purchased the 120ML bottle or (8 fluid oz) Like I said so far so good and after 6 months of use the bottle still looks full. You might like to try it ( most likely good on all gauges of rail) I was surprised when I seen the demonstration at the show. my WD-40 after a while would collect stuff on the rails and wheels so I suggest you look at this product. Don’t cringe over the price as you use very little on the cleaning wheel. I pull the cleaning caboose qute often and sometime dry and the strips need changed more than you would think. from Newman

By: Gerald Hyink

Gerald Hyink — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 13:57:22 +0000

Remember it is a petroleum product. Use spaingly and make sure to wipe up excess. It will draw dust if you don’t. Works great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Henry Robbins

Henry Robbins — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:58:20 +0000

I have been using trany oil for cleaning my layout for 4 years with great success . I use a Q-tip and put a little on the track every 6 feet {approx.}. I then run my trains over it a few times to spread the fluid. I only need to do this about every 3 to 5 months. I have not had a problem with any slippage.
Try it, you will like it.
Henry

By: David A Stokes

David A Stokes — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 07:53:53 +0000

That’s a new one on me. Give it a go, but not on your favorite loco and let us know how you got on,
Regards
David

By: Rand

Rand — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 04:24:01 +0000

No first hand experience, but from what I’ve read…

Pro’s – won’t dissolve plastic ties; enhances conductivity (thereby reducing the buildup of gunk due to sparking; is almost the same formula as Rail-Zip (some say it’s identical) and Wahl oil. Some prefer it over Wahl oil. Less expensive than hobby brand products.

Con’s – reduces friction (it’s not just a hydraulic fluid but also a lubricant) and therefore increases slippage, must be used very sparingly (not suitable for track cleaning cars). Some say it must be repeated every few months; others say it lasts for years.

Comments are somewhat all over the map, but many have had good success, especially on steel rails. (One said it doesn’t actually clean the track but makes the dirt conductive, but that was just one opinion.) Some said GM Dexron II (no longer available) was better.