Don, thanks for the kind words. It was great fun watching your grandson run trains.
I clean my track periodically by hand. Depending on usage on the layout every month or so. In between I run my track cleaning cars to just keep things tuned up. The track cleaning cars don't come close to hand cleaning in my opinion. I have three different ones and the conclusion is the same. They're just okay. Not great.
I use 99.8% alchohol on a cloth or wipes and then follow up with a clean cloth to wipe up the residue. I wear a face mask filter when using it.
However, my track is solid nickle silver track and can take the strong solvent. I would recommend a somewhat less stringent solvent for standard Lionel tinplate track. Perhaps odorless paint thinner. Some use 50% alchohol. Some use Goo Gone.
The main thought is use the least toxic and harsh solvent possible to get the job done.
I shy away from using scrubbing pads like Scotchbrite as they scratch the surface of the track leaving more crevices for dirt and grease to lodge in.
Bill
On Fri, Jul 30, 2010 at 9:59 AM,
<don448@aol.com> wrote:
I want to thank Bob for the great time I and my family had at his place last week. My grandson was overjoyed at being able to run the "BIG" train. I have never seen so much equipment and rolling stock in one place outside of a toy store. That looks like quite a few years of collecting and hard work at assembling the layout. I got the feeling from the conversation that it was still "A work in progress". The snacks and talks were great fun and I picked up a few pointers to get my old steamers running a bit better . Thanks to all.
Another question!!
I just picked up a Lionel 3927 Track cleaning car in pristine condition. As to those cleaning pads - is there some solution you put on them or do you run them dry? Do you wipe the tracks down with something beforehand to maximize the value of running the car? And procedural advice appreciated.
Regards,
Don Newman