Track Cleaning

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patriothonor

Member
I'm almost finished with my new N Scale Layout. I've been using the hand held small "abrasive track eraser" to clean my track and it seems to do the job. But I'm concerned about wearing the track rails. Do the "cleaning cars" available actually work well and what are the best ones to use. Are there better methods to use?
Thanks for any advice.
patriothonor
Jack

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Are there better methods to use?
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The more you run your trains, the cleaner the track will be. Metal wheels don't generate static electricity like plastic ones so they don't draw dust to the rails. A lot also depends on where the layout is located. A spare bedroom is less likely to have problems than a garage or basement. I occasionally use a homemade car with a masonite pad followed by a Centerline car that has a cloth covered roller soaked in isopropyl alcohol. I also occasionally use the Woodland Scenics track cleaning kit for periodic maintenance of spurs. It has a long handle which is very convenient. I believe that Aztec has a similar track cleaning car. I model HO, but all of this should apply to N scale as well. I only use an abrasive block for rehabilitation of recycled track.
Willie
 
Wow, thanks for that information. I'm a newbie to this and have a lot to learn. Your alternatives sound good, so I'll give them a look and try them out. My layout is in a screened in patio in the Texas Hill Country, so it does get a little dust, but not much. I am planning on installing a pull down cover over the screening which should help. It's not that humid here, so that's a benefit as well.
Thanks again for your advice.
patriothonor
Jack
 


I agree. The abrasive blocks work great but put scratches in the rail that dictates more cleaning sooner. I'm in the alcohol camp for cleaning followed by a very very very light coating of some electrically conductive liquid like LPS-1, Conducto-Lube, or special track cleaning lube like ACT-6006 http://www.traintekllc.com/aero-car...leaner-8oz/?gclid=CP65hbSmy8oCFZY0aQodqOkAjw..

The museum runs a train of a CMX track cleaning tank car and several of the pad and roller type cars every morning before the real trains go out. I am still skeptical of how effective they really are, especially the ones where the pads cannot be easily changed out. Seems one still has to get a rag and wipe the rails.
 
Thanks, Iron Horseman. I'll give that cleaner a try also. Appreciate your responses.
patriothonor
Jack

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
I know I get people poo-poo'ing it every time I post about it, but I swear by No-Ox to keep rails clean and running. I applied that stuff over two years ago and have never had to do more than wipe them quickly with a felt pad ever since. And that's only when it's been idle during a construction phase. When I've had trains running I've never had to clean the rails at all.
 
MikeOwnby said:
I know I get people poo-poo'ing it every time I post about it, but I swear by No-Ox to keep rails clean and running. I applied that stuff over two years ago and have never had to do more than wipe them quickly with a felt pad ever since. And that's only when it's been idle during a construction phase. When I've had trains running I've never had to clean the rails at all.
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I don't poo-poo it! I can't FIND it! From all I've seen it is THE way to go! Some of my track is old, "HIT" and in bad shape, some of that no-ox would probably serve me well.
 


new guy said:
I don't poo-poo it! I can't FIND it! From all I've seen it is THE way to go! Some of my track is old, "HIT" and in bad shape, some of that no-ox would probably serve me well.
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No-Ox is available on Amazon and from many model railroad vendors. A Google search will turn up many sources.

No-Ox is NOT a track cleaner. You must clean your track first, THEN apply No-Ox per the instructions. When applied to clean track, No-Ox helps prevent corrosion and oxidation, so you won't have to clean your track as often.

- Jeff
 
jdetray said:
No-Ox is available on Amazon and from many model railroad vendors. A Google search will turn up many sources.

No-Ox is NOT a track cleaner. You must clean your track first, THEN apply No-Ox per the instructions. When applied to clean track, No-Ox helps prevent corrosion and oxidation, so you won't have to clean your track as often.

- Jeff
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I know how it is used and why it works. I just don't order on line any more cause I have no money and must save for items on an as needed basis, finding it for cash in this town has been a challenge, the "old standby" hardware store that 'has everything' had none!
 
new guy said:
the "old standby" hardware store that 'has everything' had none!
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I'm finding that more and more true of the ACE hardware store. Used to be one would go to ACE and if they didn't have it, it was not to be found. But... They didn't even have any nichrome wire when I needed some a while back.
 
I wonder if a friendly hardware store could order some NO-OX-ID A-SPECIAL from the manufacturer so you could purchase it locally. No-Ox is made by:

Sanchem, Inc.
1600 S. Canal Street
Chicago IL 60616
P: 888.923.7403 | F: 312.733.7432

- Jeff
 
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