Comments on: Rusting Track Problems

By: Lindsay Neil

Lindsay Neil — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 10:03:12 +0000

Using Inox or WD40 is a good idea – Inox can be used more liberally of course and won’t effect traction tyres on the locos. Years ago Peco made galvanised steel flex track, which I used with
Tri-ang locos with ‘Magnadhesion’, where there were magnets between wheels to improve pulling power. Nickel silver rails were out of the question.You could consider stainless steel rail from Gaugemaster – LTK-SR10 Legacy OO Scale Bullhead Rail Stainless Steel 960mm (10). It is code 75 though.

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 21:39:58 +0000

I have Trains in the basement. I clean my track with Vinegar and then baking soda, clean it and like new. I do wheels anything I want to remove rust, except for printed items. Now to keep rust off AND to keep the track clean for a long time I do what Ray mentioned, moisen the track with Transmission fluid and works well, inexpensive and you put on with a sponge and wipe it on, it helps clean wheel also from black carbon. Works so good for me. I seen it done on a channel on Youtube! Wish you luck and heh, helps your cars trans, so why would it not work, your car is in the salted air, so wish you well, try it, NOT expensive!

By: Steven Porcelius

Steven Porcelius — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 19:28:44 +0000

HERE IS THE WAY TO GO!
I clean my track with a pole sander and 220 grit drywall sanding screens. I run “G” Scale outside year round. Even after sitting outside all winter, just a couple of swipes and the track is shiny and ready to run. And that my friends is how you do it!!

By: Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 15:22:29 +0000

When I had steel rails, I found occasional wiping with a rag dampened with K-1 kerosene seemed to forestall rust/corrosion, act as a mild solvent to clean the rail head and seemed to improve the conductivity between the rails and wheels.

By: Bruce feldman

Bruce feldman — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 13:09:11 +0000

I have a garage layout in my Fla home. High humidity in the summer. I keep it covered with a large plastic painters drop cloth. Seems to help a good bit. No rust yet after 2 years

By: Joe deBy

Joe deBy — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 12:24:21 +0000

In reply to Stephen F. Duncan. You could try wiping the rails with WD40. Another trick I learned long ago for eliminating conducting problems is applying a drop of Wahl Oil to locomotive wheels. It's available from any hairdressing supply store.

By: Alan Barlow

Alan Barlow — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:31:29 +0000

Hi In use wet and dry with a bit of oil and rub the track.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 07:06:13 +0000

If you din’t want to pull it all up and relay with nickel-silver, try the old paste of graphite and Wahl hair clipper oil.

By: Lindsay Brown

Lindsay Brown — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 02:37:54 +0000

Use WD40 as it is a good water/air displacer along with allowing good wheel to track contact. The trick is to not to much, use a cloth and wipe the tracks regular over time you will notice it needs less wipes and looks good too. So Start heavy then go light and lighter. Apply after day of track enjoyment and you will see the wheels also will benefit as they will stay clean too, have a area to side the trains that any drips will not be an issue over time. Every so often as with any good track check out your engines and clean under the bottom to remove excess WD40 as part of your engine checking.

Just a Note….. any grades need to be careful as it may cause some slip if the weight of the load was close to causing the engine to slip before. If grade is an issue with slip I would recommend first to use light sandpaper. Do not sand with track go across the rail 🙂 get a coffee sit take you time and go at 90degress to track, (have seen 75degress across track work too) can be fun if you want to see your efforts.. This will make the track still look smooth yet provide a surface for the wheels to grab rather than slip (shiny steel to shiny steel)

Enjoy and have fun.

By: SteveB

SteveB — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 01:08:36 +0000

In reply to Tony Pietromonico. I am sure you were expecting a lot og grief about steel wool particles, but the stuff works and vacuuming helps keep the steel fibers in control. I would add that a strong magnet passed around the track might be a good idea.

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 23:59:26 +0000

In reply to Tony Pietromonico. I use transmission fluid in the same manner.

By: John Leon

John Leon — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 23:45:39 +0000

In reply to Tony Pietromonico. If it works for you great. Luckily I don't have your problem