Comments on: Cleaning Glue and other Debris from Railway Tracks

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 03:21:38 +0000

I wouldn’t use anything abrasive or that can scratch the rail surface. Nicks and grooves end up filling with insulating crud that creeps across the rail surface and gives you never ending problems with loco’s stalling on the track. I would start with isopropyl alcohol or Goo Gone. If these don’t cut it move onto Lacquer Thinner, Acetone or MEK. Be careful with the last ones. Wear gloves and a good quality aspirator mask and use sparingly so as not to melt any plastic in proximity.

By: W Rusty Lane

W Rusty Lane — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 02:41:35 +0000

You can also use a Scotch Brite pad to clean the rails. It´s not as harsh as sandpaper. I would not use sandpaper or a knife as Frank says above for the reasons given. I´ve used Scotch Brite pads in the past and it has not harmed the rails. To get off the gunk I´d suggest that you use some 91% isopropyl alcohol after the Scotch Brite pad. Put some on a rag and go around the track to remove any loose debris.

By: Sheldon Clark

Sheldon Clark — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 00:23:31 +0000

A piece of wood rubbed along each rail should work. Any pieces of ballast, etc., sticking up too far can be removed with the point of a small screwdriver – the kind used on slot-headed screws, not Phillips or Pozzidrive, I would suggest.

By: Frank B

Frank B — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 00:21:05 +0000

A knife will risk making chips and cuts in the rails. Sandpaper will cause grooves and scratches.

Most glues will not stick firmly to smooth metal, so my method is to use the edge of an old credit card or similar plastic thing for such purposes. A piece of this can be cut or filed to the necessary shape of the rail profile if required.

For very hardened glue, the appropriate solvents will work, but be careful, as some solvents (e.g. acetone or cellulose thinners) will dissolve some plastics.

Of course, with a little imaginative painting, the bits of glue and other stuff can be camouflaged as fallen branches or natural debris on the track.