Track cleaning blues

[kgreen]

I hate cleaning wheels and track constantly  I have seen track cleaning cars on that site  are they worth it.thanks kirk

[dem34]

Depends on the condition of you're track, and it depends on the product in question.

All in all most track cleaning cars work as advertised but they almost always are never as strong as cleaning by hand. So in general before use you are going to want to do a deep clean of all you're track work first and then from that point onward you should be running the track cleaner semi regularly and semi frequently check the cleaning implements for grime buildup.

And from those generalities it also depends on what is actually getting onto the track, dust and minor oxidation comes off easily without elbow grease. Oily sludge from Smoke generators and solder flux etc, needs a bit more work.

[peteski]

Unfortunately no matter what "miracle" solution you end up using for the track, you will still have to clean the wheels.  And remember, rolling stock wheels will also collect and distribute the crud all over the track.

[kgreen]

I think plastic wheels is a  problem  Its unreal how dirty they get   I have a door layout similar to the carolina central   I cant imagine maintaining a big layout

[peteski]

I think plastic wheels is a  problem  Its unreal how dirty they get   I have a door layout similar to the carolina central   I cant imagine maintaining a big layout

It is not that bad.  I frequent (and help to build) multiple room-size N scale layouts where many cars have plastic wheels, and none of the layout owners have given up their layout to to unreasonable amount of track cleaning required.  Yes, they do have to clean the track, and even less frequently wheels, but they still keep at it.  They use both manual track cleaning, and have track cleaning trains.

If you are having so much problem with your small layout, seems that something else might be at play here.

How often do you run trains?
What type if environment is the layout in?
Do you apply any sort of oily liquid to the track?
What brand locos do you use? Diesel? Steam?
Has this problem been present since day one (since you first start running trains on it)?

[NtheBasement]

Sounds like my first layout, but that was before flywheels.

I have a room sized layout.  In 20 years I've never cleaned the wheels on my cars; they have Microtrains trucks with plastic wheels.  I have cleaned the loco wheels many times and used to clean the track several times a year with isopropyl and ran track cleaner cars every week or two.  Ended up using No Ox ID, works well.  I'm down to track cleaning once a year and the Centerline track cleaning cars are boxed up and put away.
https://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?18676-Track-cleaning-Linn-Westcott-and-No-Ox

[Albert in N]

   Dust and oil are two big problems.  Some of my locomotives overly oiled by the factory or me are sources of track problems.  A little oil on the gears, steam locomotive side rods, or axle points seems to find its way onto the top of the rails. Vintage trains needing lubrication are big culprits.  Add to that, dust in the air.  Since even insulated windows and a tight house with air conditioning filters regularly changed does not keep out all the dust outside, I have a problem.  Add to that asthma, so I have a fairly easy to clean smaller layout that can be stripped and vacuumed a couple of times a year with structures, scenery, and trains brushed off with soft dry paint brushes.  I had been using rags, sometimes wet with rubbing alcohol to clean the track rails.  Also, I use the same to clean disassembled locomotives and rolling stock wheels.  A couple of years ago, I watched a Fifer Hobby Supply video on track cleaning.  Being frugal (cheap), I first tried the Bachmann (Proses Easy Clean) plastic handled hand track cleaning tool with felt pads often wet with rubbing alcohol.  That works pretty well for me.  Model Train Stuff also carries them under Proses track cleaner.  I have ordered Woodland Scenics dust monkeys (attach to rolling stock axles) and will see how they work to keep the dust down between heavy track cleanings.   Here is a useful link for comparing track cleaning tools and prices:  https://www.fiferhobby.com/track-cleaners-and-track-cleaning-supplies/

[kgreen]

Thanks for your replies   From what I'm gathering oxidization is the culprit along with dust.  I use alcohol for track and soaked paper towel for engines  Just find  need to do every week.  Usually run a bit daily.  Always been this way

[peteski]

Thanks for your replies   From what I'm gathering oxidization is the culprit along with dust.  I use alcohol for track and soaked paper towel for engines  Just find  need to do every week.  Usually run a bit daily.  Always been this way

Oxidation?  We all use nickel silver track, so yours should not be more prone to oxidation.   Are you in a particularly humid or caustic environment?  "They" say that nickel silver oxide is electrically conductive, but I'm not sure what to think about that.  Still, it seems that if you need to clean things so often, there is something particular in your environment.  You answered two of the questions I posed. I'll repeat the others.

How often do you run trains?
What type if environment is the layout in?  Dusty unfinished basement or garage, or a climate controlled room in the living area?
Do you apply any sort of oily liquid to the track?
What brand locos do you use? Diesel? Steam?
Has this problem been present since day one (since you first start running trains on it)?
Also, is your layout DC or DCC?

[carmelmodelrr]

Has anyone used the Woodland Scenics Roto Wheel Cleaner?  Seems like a perfect solution to dirty loco wheels—-but does it work?

Carmelmodelrr
Richard Wroblewski

[MK]

Yes it does and it works well.

[vt_railroad_guy]

I cut a little piece of fine grit sand paper that I can slip over the masonite pad on my track cleaning car.  I put it in a train once in a while and I find that it seems to clean off whatever the masonite fails to remove from the rails pretty well.  For wheels, I periodically run my cars over a piece of paper towel soaked in alcohol and draped over the rails.  The combination seems to keep things running pretty well.

[Dave V]

Rail cleaning I do both with a Bright Boy and with a masonite-slider style homemade track cleaning car.

For locomotives I do the trick where I run the drivers over a paper towel soaked in isopropyl alcohol.  That works especially well when the locomotive tender has both-rail pickup.  Cleaning the tender wheels is considerably harder.

I use almost exclusively metal wheels on my cars as well.  That said, they do still accumulate a non-zero amount of crud.  Other than rolling them back and forth across a paper towel soaked in alcohol, is there a better way?

[davefoxx]

I use almost exclusively metal wheels on my cars as well.  That said, they do still accumulate a non-zero amount of crud.  Other than rolling them back and forth across a paper towel soaked in alcohol, is there a better way?

I haven't found a better way.  Oh, and when pushing those cars back-and-forth on that paper towel, be careful with those plastic trainline air hoses hanging down at each ends of the car. One wrong move and "Zing!"  Gone.

DFF

[Albert in N]

   Adding to my earlier post this topic, here is a link to Woodland Scenics demo sales pitch for their line of track and wheel cleaning products:

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/videos/TidyTrack