*TIPS* How 'clean' is your track?

A bit of help on how to clean what may appear to be already clean track!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• intercity82
• tips
• dirty
• track
• dapol
• cleaner
• cleaning
• double
• oo
• dublo
• gauge
• set
• model
• railway

[NaziJuice]

Can a guy use something as a decent substitute.

[InterCity82]

@NaziJuice - some people use white spirit, methylated spirit, WD-40 spray oil and even nail varish remover. But nothing beats a proper actual cleaning solution really.

[teddybeareleventeen]

Be careful with the WD40, especially if you have any grades on your layout. I know of a case where a guy sprayed WD40 or CRC straight onto some track on a 1 in 40 grade and only the shortest light trains could actually make it up the hill! 3 months later the guy was still giving problems. Even on level track, engines may have trouble hauling a heavy train. Anything oil based can leave a slippery residue, so be careful! Alcohol based seems to be the best.  Good video! Thumbs up!

[InterCity82]

@teddybeareleventeen - thanks for the feedback! Please feel free to pass it on to the user 'NaziJuice'. I personally never use oil. But I can guarantee if I told people to never use it, I would be bombarded with messages from people saying they use and it's fine. lol I can't win!

[rich81090]

i know it depends on how often you run on the tracks but how often should this be done?

[InterCity82]

@rich81090 - there's no law on when it should be done. It simply needs doing whenever the track is dirty or getting dirty - ideally. Just rub your finger along the rails every now and then, and if a black line is left on your skin, then it definitely needs doing!

[ludlowish]

i wonder if any1 can advise me, i bought a bit of 2nd hand track, and my trains arnet running very well on it, im new to railway modeling anf dont have alot of money so could anyone advise me on the best ways to make it run smoth? thax every1

[vietvet68100]

dude,carburator,or brake clearner is the best i found and is cheap!

[NaziJuice]

@InterCity82 Aww yeah you sound English do you have an english made set ?

[NaziJuice]

For a cleaning solutiion.

[bbcisrubbish]

With brass or nickel silver a thorough clean with a liquid cleaner is recommended before initial laying of the track.

The metal may still have some lubrication oil used in extrusion in the factory.

This will make it less tedious when cleaning later.

In this day of suing, health and safety etc. I will not recommend the cleaner I use.

[MuzzaHukka]

@InterCity82 Yes, that or the CMX Track Cleaner. The CMX cleaner looks more like a tank, meaning it looks more like a wagon rather than a big container on wheels although that lubricates the tracks so I suggest you get both and clip the DAPOL at the front and the CMX behind. That way your tracks will get hoovered then lubed! Though the both cost £50 approx. each (£100 for both), I MAY be getting rid of my kits soon and you can have both for £40 (If you Subscribe)!