Gaugemaster HF track cleaners

[Jules59]

Hi Guys

I was doing some research on the Gaugemaster HF track cleaners and getting mixed reviews on their effectiveness or if they work at all . Im running n gauge mainly Minitrix 35 years old some with working lights.

As an aside I tested my locos in my excitement to see something running and test my basic wiring on the newly laid track ( some aged and a bit tarnished ) prior to cleaning it can anyone advise best way to clean the loco wheels as they have picked up dirt deposits and are now stuttering around

Jules

[End2end]

99% Isopropanol alcohol (IPA), cotton buds and grease of the elbow kind.
Thanks
End2end

[Bufferstop]

This has been discussed many times and apart from a few who use them most are of the opinion that they are the work of the devil. They don't clean the track they blast a conductive path through the muck, leaving burnt on deposits which will one day have to be cleaned off. They aren't compatible with DCC, other types of electronic devices and modern low current motors. I'd give them a miss. If you are using older track, first test the rails with a magnet, if it sticks the rails are steel and will require endless cleaning to keep trains moving. Rails that aren't magnetic will either be brass or nickel silver. Use only the most mild abrasive then wash them clean with IPA (iso propyl alcohol) or meths. Keeping rails and wheels clean is the most important bit of maintainance on any model railway.

[Peterm]

As Bufferstop says, clean track, wheels and pickups are essential, even more so in N guage than OO. Rather than use a Relco or similar HF device, you could use a Zimo decoder with a tiny Lais stay alive. These decoders will work with DC to give you reliable running.

[Jules59]

Thanks for the reply guys i have bought some IPA and will get the elbow grease working !!!!

[End2end]

Rather than use a Relco or similar HF device, you could use a Zimo decoder with a tiny Lais stay alive. These decoders will work with DC to give you reliable running.

I'm assuming your using DC Jules59.
So on that note would making a stay alive circuit for DC not work instead of adding a decoder?
After all, it's surely not much more than just some capacitors.

Just a theory.
Thanks
End2end

[Peterm]

I'm assuming DC as well. I suggested the decoder and stay alive because as far as I know, you cant make a stay alive for it because of polarity changes when reversing/going forward.

[Bufferstop]

In theory you can build a stay alive to work with DC, it's getting a big enough non electrolytic capacitor to fit in your loco, cleaning the track is easier. Having a loco with a proper flywheel is even better!

[Someone]

I would steer clear of these, they might be fire a hazard consider they burn of dirt. If you have something flammable sitting on the rails then it's more then the dirt that's gonna burn.