EFFORTLESS CLEANING TRACK!

[bike2steam]

Good to see the message has got thro' to most people, I've been saying for years, don't mix WD40 with model railways, now all it needs is the same for track rubbers, and plastic wheels on rolling stock.

[hobby boy]

whats wrong with track rubbers?? They do clean the track faily well.

Andrew

[bike2steam]

What's right with them ? They should be called 'muck spreaders' not track rubbers, they might remove lumps of dirt, but in doing so leave a thin slimy film, also don't forget rubber is made from oil. The best way of cleaning track is by a degreasing solvent for heavy dirt removal, or lightly rubbing over with the rough side of a piece of hardboard for light dirt removal.

[Zunnan]

Not to mention they are slightly abbrasive, which cuts lots of very fine scratches into the railhead which in turn act like dirt magnets as they allow dirt to adhere much more easily than to a polished surface.

[bike2steam]

Not to mention they are slightly abbrasive, which cuts lots of very fine scratches into the railhead which in turn act like dirt magnets as they allow dirt to adhere much more easily than to a polished surface.

True, forgot that . And not forgetting another of my hates, another 'muck spreader' - traction tyres - erggghhh.

[rocketman]

I have successfully used WD 40 on my track.
If you must, (and it is excellent for cleaning but death to plastic parts) spray it on a cloth and not over the general area. (Do not breathe in while you do this) Then wipe it along the track and immediately wipe it off! It will ruin traction tyres (some may see this as a welcome death) and it will make the rails very friction free (think leaves on BR)
otherwise.
A nylon scourer or thick cloth with isopropyl alcohol or very cheap perfume that you have to explain! is better and doesn't leave scratches like sandpaper to inhibit future running.I would never use WD 40 on modern loco bodies or mechanisms. It is not so bad on metal (Wrenn etc) but I think there are equal or better alternatives as some others have explained.
rocketman

[chris6166]

My father uses 'lighter fuel' to clean track but as i have small children around I have not used it, WD40 - well it is not good, I tried it in an experimental way and decided never again, anyone used the Dapol track cleaning self propelled wagon?

[Hulldude15]

anyone used the Dapol track cleaning self propelled wagon?

I have it. It is ok, but if you have really dirty track then, obviously the motor wont work when it's really dirty, because the electricity can't get to it. Mine won't work with a hornby sapphire decoder and hornby select, so I am running it on DC, so if you have a select, don't bother with DCC for the wagon, it was sooooo annoying .

[Stewart Gethin]

What i use is these pads of fabric that click on to a axle under a wagon or something and then gets pushed/pulled infront/behind/ a loco, put a bit of metholated spirit on them every now and then and they work a treat, i just don't know if they sell them anymore.

Stew

[mikeuk54]

What i use is these pads of fabric that click on to a axle under a wagon or something and then gets pushed/pulled infront/behind/ a loco, put a bit of metholated spirit on them every now and then and they work a treat, i just don't know if they sell them anymore.

Stew

(Gaugemaster GM39 - N Scale Track Cleaning Pads. Axle Hung Pack of 3) Still available.

[Stewart Gethin]

my layout is OO

Stew

[Hulldude15]

my layout is OO

Look Here: http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GM37

[jayeastanglia]

I have been using "railzip" A kind of red liquid which is applied to the track left overnight and wiped off very rarely have to clean my 009 layout track which in built in my garage....Also i found its great for electrical pick ups on 009 rolling stock.
When i bought the 1 and only bottle i am using now I was very sceptical of its claims but does seem to work ok and i really hate cleaning track

[Hulldude15]

I have been using "railzip" A kind of red liquid which is applied to the track left overnight and wiped off very rarely have to clean my 009 layout track which in built in my garage....Also i found its great for electrical pick ups on 009 rolling stock.
When i bought the 1 and only bottle i am using now I was very sceptical of its claims but does seem to work ok and i really hate cleaning track

I have that too. I am a bit wary of using it as it says May Cause Cancer on the back!

I didn't know that you had to wipe it off though???

[daleks04]

hi all,

i found a non-abrasive track cleaner.

it is a track rubber - de-greases and polishes

from gthe double O gauge association

is is wonderful, and only leaves a very little small powder on the sleepers - lookes like sleeper grime if allowed to build up.

amarjot