track cleaning

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Dobby

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can any one give me advice on track cleaning on an out door g gauge railway. no matter how much i wipe the track is seem to have a black greasy film on the top of the track. i bought a used lbg track cleaning loco, but all it does it seems to just spread the gunk around the track, any tips will be appreciated .
Dobby
 
The track cleaning loco is to remove tarnish and works best on dry track..
I suggest a cloth pad, to remove 'black gunk'. - This can be mounted on a dry-wall sanding handle, to save bending.

PhilP
 
At the last place, I often found that after the LGB Mk1 track cleaner block, I had to wipe the track also - dunno why, but there were some mighty big beech trees to one side.

Here in Norfolk, I only need to use the block, and sometimes that'll do for a couple of weeks - unheard of in Sussex
 
Dobby said:
can any one give me advice on track cleaning on an out door g gauge railway. no matter how much i wipe the track is seem to have a black greasy film on the top of the track. i bought a used lbg track cleaning loco, but all it does it seems to just spread the gunk around the track, any tips will be appreciated .
Dobby
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Nothing beats one of the LGB Track Cleaning Blocks 50040.
wheelspinmodels.co.uk

LGB L50040 - LGB Track Cleaning Block | Model Train Accessories | Wheelspin Models

LGB L50040 - LGB Track Cleaning Block | Model Train Accessories | Wheelspin Models
wheelspinmodels.co.uk wheelspinmodels.co.uk
Did you buy the LGB Loco new? How are the cleaning wheels, they do need changing after o lot of use but imho the loco is not the best for really filthy track. 50040 again is the tool of choice, not and sand or emery on a piece of wood as that has the effect of grooving track making the cleaning issue worse. Some will trash the 50040 as doing the same, but the grit is very fine on the 50040 leaving lovely clean track. But it can take some hard work on filthy track.
 
I clean my garden track with the LGB block or if this dose not clean it I use Rail-Zip.

One cleaned I usually do not after clean it for months. The trick is to run a train on the track every day. Not leave it for a long time and expect it to be ready for running straight away.
 
Walts-Playmobil said:
. The trick is to run a train on the track every day. Not leave it for a long time and expect it to be ready for running straight away.
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Yes, and Mike will second that, but for many of us, running is intermittent, and the gunge (rather than simple oxidation) may well be due to locality, and adjacent vegetation
 
Are all the wheels of your stock metal, or do you have plastic wheels?
 
Smoke oil, i.e. the stuff used on electric locos to produce smoke is apprently
 
Another vote for the LGB track cleaning block from me.
I did have an LGB track cleaning loco once, but I was never that convinced by it.
I’ve yet to meet anything on the rails that the LGB track cleaning block won’t clean - even seagull poo which is truly evil stuff! Cheap and it will last years before you need a new pad.
 
The track cleaning block gets my vote too but I also get a thin [somewhat invisible] coating on the rail head and find that methylated spirits [the container indicates it is Min 95% V/V Ethanol UN 1170] on a folded rag removes this very effectively. The rag shows lots of black marks afterwards which seems to indicate some sort of oily residue. When clean, the 4 wheel cars with metal wheels stop making high pitched ‘squealing’ noises on curves as well. Usually use it after the block and use the meths on the wheels and skates occasionally, too.
Monty
 
I'd say, if the muck is greasy, use meths as Monty says. If the rails are really that bad, you might find the cleaning pads or blocks will get fouled up
 
jimmielx said:
Another vote for the LGB track cleaning block from me.
I did have an LGB track cleaning loco once, but I was never that convinced by it.
I’ve yet to meet anything on the rails that the LGB track cleaning block won’t clean - even seagull poo which is truly evil stuff! Cheap and it will last years before you need a new pad.
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Well reminded forgot to mention that Massoth sell new LGB block replacement psds.
 
I have the perfect solution ...... I haven't had to clean my rails for nearly ten years.
I suppose someone had to say it ...... convert to battery power and radio control ..... :blush:

I'll now take cover and batten down the hatches ..... ;)

Rik
 
One of these - TRACK CLEANER HEAD W TWO CLEANING BLOCKS | Garden Railway Specialists Tel:01844 345158 They use the Garryflex blocks, the blue ones - Garryflex Garryson Blocks, Set x 4, 36, 60, 120, 240 Grit Flexible Abrasive Cleaner. M0294 Stick it on the end of a broom handle and you are off and away without any backbreaking bending. I've had mine for 17 years. Life saver.

The LGB block is great for "spot" cleaning or indoors. But if you have 35 metres of track at ground level you'll rip the thing to bits in very little time. LGB track cleaning loco - Never worked for me, but then my line is mostly in shade. Key thing is clean when the rail head is dry, whatever the method. I also use a cork sanding block covered with an H/D felt pad (furniture feet grade) that fits into the GRS holder to do the trick mentioned above to clean oily residue with meths. So, the GRS thingy is a multipurpose tool too. (Bit like me :D)

I also drop a short wheelbase vehicle into a consist that is fitted with LGB's track cleaning attachment Track Cleaning Attachment to do a bit of light remedial cleaning every so often when needed. Max

P.S. After 18 years of meticulous cleaning I'm going all battery and live steam - British Bucks climate and a heavily overhung and shaded line do not make for easy and reliable track powered operations. And I'm not getting any younger ;)

20210609_090648.jpg

LGB springy thingie legs and SWB wagon. Other wagons are available.
 
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3 in 1 oil. A few drops on each rail, then run the train around. I spreads the oil on the rails, and aids with electrical pick up.
Never takes more than 3 trips around the railway the get perfect running. No scrubbing required. It does leave an oily film though.
Check out my Taita Gorge Garden Railway, 21 years on the ground, track power, and no cleaning necessary.
 
maxi-model said:
After 18 years of meticulous cleaning I'm going all battery and live steam - British Bucks climate and a heavily overhung and shaded line do not make for easy and reliable track powered operations. And I'm not getting any younger ;)
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That's what did it for me in the end. I seemed to spend more time cleaning track than running trains :(

Rik
 
ge_rik said:
I have the perfect solution ...... I haven't had to clean my rails for nearly ten years.
I suppose someone had to say it ...... convert to battery power and radio control ..... :blush:

I'll now take cover and batten down the hatches ..... ;)

Rik
Click to expand...
Post 13, I'm surprised it took so long!

Paul
 
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