Friday 16 August 2013

Simple Wheel Cleaners for Model Trains

Cleaning wheels and rails is a never-ending task on every railroad, no matter what your scale or how frequently you run. There are many products on the market for cleaning both, and new ideas seem to emerge every year.
Maintenance and cleaning can really be divided into two categories. There is preventive maintenance which keeps the dirt in check and then there is heavier cleaning that must be done when the former can't keep up.
The best way to maintain your preventive maintenance schedule is to make it easy - so easy you don't really have to think about it. Products like the "Dust Monkeys" from Woodland Scenics are one such example of a good track cleaner that works while you play, without looking completely out of place like most cleaning cars.

But rails are only part of the problem. You'll also have to address the wheels on the train itself. a good place to start is replacing your plastic wheels with metal. Metal wheels tend to attract less dirt - and they track better! But this isn't the final answer - enter these "Passive Wheel Cleaners."
Cleaners
Other Great cleaning items:
  • Rozzer's Track Cleaning Fluid
  • Rail Tracker Cleaning Kit (Woodland Scenics)
  • Roto Wheel Cleaner (Woodland Scenics)

Roto Wheel Cleaner in HO & N




3 comments:

  1. Do any of these work with o/27 lionel stuff

    I have a small set up out side

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    Replies
    1. Hi Robert;

      The Rozzer's track cleaner fluid would work great. We also sell:
      Rail Tracker™ Cleaning Kit TT4550

      The Rail Tracker cleaning tool actually follows the track and hugs the rail while you clean, and makes it easy to clean hard to reach areas, like inside tunnels, around structures and under power lines. Kit includes all you need to clean and maintain your track. Package doubles as a tray for storage. Replacement pads available. Designed to work on N, HO, HOn3 and three-rail O scale track.

      Delete
  2. We're glad you found our article useful. Do you have any questions or topics you would like us to feature in future posts?
    ~Valerie

    ReplyDelete