Bob’s been in touch with his N scale track cleaner:
“1) I am a strong proponent for using any brand of Automatic Transmission Fluid for track cleaning.
With an initially hand cleaned track, apply ATF with a Q-tip at about 1 inch per rail for every 2-3 ft.
ATF has conductive additives that will keep the track clean for many days but, it is an oil so use sparingly or you will quickly loose locomotive traction.
The right balance is required for best performance. Also good for cleaning locomotive wheels sparingly.
2) Best approach for a track cleaning car or vehicle is to use an old diesel locomotive that has the driving equipment remove but has the heavy frame available for downward pressure.
By using stick-on furniture felt pads available at any hardware or most discount stores, you can create a great track cleaner and you can easily replace the stick-on pads by pulling off the old pad and sticking on a new pad.
The stick-on pads are available in a variety of sizes to fit virtually any old heavy diesel locomotive frame.
Below is a gutted Kato n scale diesel with a stick-on pad. Simply push it around with a good powered locomotive.
3) When you have a sluggish locomotive, check your track with a good running locomotive from another track before assuming you need to clean the track.
Quite often you may need to clean the wheels, wheel contactors or the motor brushes.
Bob”
Big thanks to Bob.
When ever I get a track cleaner idea in, I’m always reminded of Kim’s, (which is here). It could scrub anything clean.
There’s his homemade recipe too: Homemade model train track cleaner.
And now on to Dave, who’s been having fun with his iphone thingy:
latest ebay cheat sheet is here. Still going strong.
That’s all for today’s missive. A big thanks to Bob for sharing his N scale track cleaner – though it would work on any scale, it’s simple enough.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you decide to start laying tracks again, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
