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Using a wire brush or for that matter anything abrasive on locomotive wheels-especially the electrical contact wheels will cause minute abrasions which will increase "sparking" between the rails and the wheels this just increases the rate at which the wheels foul and make the problem worse. I've had alot of problems with this in the past. Another hint. Clean your bright boys frequently with rubbing alcohol so that your not trying to "clean dirt with dirt". Makes a track cleaning last alot longer. If you clean the BB the tiny particles of rail that are taken off don't continue to scratch the rail and create the same sparking problem as described above. Model On, Scott
Posts: 127 | From: Gunnison, CO, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
Thanks for the tip Scott !! Although these days, not much cleaning going on...all locos and rolling stock packed , and layout prepped for upcoming move . Happy Modeling!! John
------------------ Colorado and Southwestern, the Top of the Rockies! http://jstrainstation.homestead.com
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I used to have to clean the wheels on my locomotives and on the cars, and I used alcohol on a paper towel. This seemed to work good. Lately, I have been cleaning the track with Goo-Gone. I have a track cleaning car that wipes it on the track. This gave a very good unexpected result. The Goo-Gone on the track also keeps the wheels clean. I literally never have to clean car wheels, and I very rarely ever have to clean locomotive wheels. All the wheels remain perfectly clean, almost new-looking.
I posted a message previously asking if anybody knew if the Goo-Gone would hurt anything, and I had no negative responses. So far, it works perfect for me.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
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Another hint--- Replace all those plastic wheels with metal ones. This has really cut down on my track cleaning.The only places where I have to clean anymore are the sidings that havent been used for a mounth or so.This will also keep the loco wheels a lot cleaner, Cant remember the last time I had to clean loco wheels or mainline track. ...........Mike
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Mike, I couldn't agree more. We have been slowly replacing plastic with metal on the CSW...with noticable results in the clean department !!...not to mention, the section crews and MOW are rarely needed to deal with a derailed train . Happy Modeling!! John
------------------ Colorado and Southwestern, the Top of the Rockies! http://jstrainstation.homestead.com
posted
Rubbing Alcohol on a paper towel, then laid on the tracks is my favorite method. You set one set of wheels on the soaked paper towel and the other set on the tracks. Crank up the power and hold the loco. Repeat the process for the other set of wheels.
Also rubbing alcohol on a clean rag, and rubbing along the track does a good job too.
I have also seen Tony's Clean Machine work wonders.
But the best way to keep track clean is to use metal wheels and run your trains often.
------------------ AJ Y6b
Posts: 30 | From: Eastern Mass, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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!! Although these days, not much cleaning going on...all locos and rolling stock packed 
, and layout prepped for upcoming move 
. Happy Modeling!!
...........Mike
