Comments on: Recommended Track Cleaning Cars https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=recommended-track-cleaning-cars Model railroads and model trains Wed, 08 Oct 2025 23:11:01 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: John https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-85487 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 23:11:01 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-85487 Track cleaning:

Is “mineral spirits” just turpentine ? Which is better, isopropyl alcohol or turpentine ?

]]> By: MR NICHOLAS WESTWOOD https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-82762 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 06:38:59 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-82762 INOX improves electrical conductivity and can be applied sparingly using a Woodland Scenics cleaning wand. Note that this product is not recommended if any of your locos use rubber traction tyres. Check out Fishplate Films YouTube channel

]]> By: Roger Johnson https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-82246 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:26:18 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-82246 I use a CMX with No-Ox. This is OK but not as good as I had hoped considering how much the CMX cost. I still clean as much of the track as I can reach with a track rubber and then run the CMX over it.

]]> By: jon c. https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80472 Sat, 05 Apr 2025 21:33:21 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80472 Centerline track cleaning car works pretty good. I purchased an extra roller, use the first one with cleaner and second one to wipe and dry the rails.

]]> By: Ralph F https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80403 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 21:32:30 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80403 Roland:

FYI- I have two Bachmann cars, and I have to weigh them down to get any traction. I think you would be better off cleaning them yourself with a liquid track cleaner.

]]> By: Joe Graffi https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80390 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 16:00:09 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80390 I made my own following this video:
https://www.trains.com/mrr/how-to/build-model-railroad/building-a-track-cleaning-car-rooted-in-the-gorre-daphetid/
Works great!
As much as possible, I go over the tracks with a pad made from old jeans dabbed with alcohol. When that has totally dried, I push the track cleaning car around the entire layout (every inch of trackage) three times.

]]> By: Adam Young https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80387 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:55:13 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80387 I use and suggest “no-ox” past. Get it at Midwest Model RR.

]]> By: Ken Holbrook https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80386 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:45:42 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80386 I’ve used the CMX cleaning car filled with odorless mineral spirits and it seems to be pretty effective. However, I found that just running the CMX alone without doing any other cleaning has turned out to be very time consuming. So now, I’ll go over the track first with my hand wand with some gun cleaning patches (also wet with mineral spirits) to get the bulk of the gunk off the tracks. But since I discovered “Keep Alive” capacitors which I installed on all of my locomotives, I never have issues with stalls anymore on dirty tracks, and I can go about 3 months without cleaning the tracks. I run my trains almost every day for a couple hours in the evening. That’s my stress relief therapy!

]]> By: Morgan Long https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80382 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 11:42:53 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80382 I, based upon the largest regional club layout in our area, keep if simple with: 99% alcohol and squares of PLAIN chamois cloth (used to steal surgical sponges from myself at animal hospital (I be da boss) but even the non woven ones leave lint. Chemical cleaners all leave residues and abrasives like bright-boys have been shown to irreparably disrupt the micro-surface of track. Oh – and loose the dang plastic wheels – #1 cause of these issues to start with!!

]]> By: Dale https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80359 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 03:50:34 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80359 I use a CMX track cleaning car on my N scale layout. I find that if I run it over the layout about once a week I don’t have any need to more cleaning on the mainlines. Lesser accessed track, like some sidings or yard tracks, may need attention with a lint-free cloth and some isopropyl alcohol. I’ve never used the other cars nor anything in HO scale.

]]> By: Frank Chernega https://blog.model-train-help.com/2025/04/recommended-track-cleaning-cars.html#comment-80354 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 02:02:37 +0000 https://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6953#comment-80354 I have not used any of these new track cleaning products. I have an original Lionel 3927 track cleaning car.All the cleaning parts are available on eBay. They also have listing for used cars.

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