Track Cleaning Cars

[ebtbob]

Good Morning All,

       This is conversation that comes up at least one time a year,  and while much of the info here has been rehashed a number of times,  there is still good info to listen to.
        Unless I missed it,  there is one thing to remember when cleaning track.
Richg mentioned how to clean rolling stock wheels.   Remember,  this a very important step in track cleaning.   If you do not clean your rolling stock and locomotive wheels regularly,  ESPECIALLY when you clean your track,  you will only be doing a poor job of cleaning.   Remember that most liquid cleaning agents leave a residue on the rails.   That residue will clean your wheels for you,  but where will the dirt and crud go?   Right back onto the rails. 
         I have four of the Walthers' skidder type reefers plus two of the
Centerline cleaning cars.   One of the CL cars is used wet and the other right behind it dry.    I run the skidder cars first to get the majority of the dirt and then follow them up with the CL cars.    When that is done I take a clean cloth and dry wipe my track.   I do this process once a quarter and find that sufficient for my railroad.

[Terry Toenges]

You can build your own.
http://www.willegal.net/railroad/rr-tc.htm


http://forum.gn15.info/viewtopic.php?t=4183&view=next&sid=b2a95a84fb3f7aeb2d229ac01843467e

[mabloodhound]

...I have read about using automatic transmission fluid on the rails to enhance conductivity, but I have never heard of using graphite.  Do you need to run the pencil along all or most of the rails?  I would think that rolling stock wheels would not spread it as well as oil---Is this correct???

Chris

Do not use transmission fluid.

The graphite pencil will be spread a bit with the wheels but you really need to rub it over most all of the rails.   Once a year seems to be the norm.   NO oiling required!