Laid Track - Cleaning

[JimmyB]

Garden Railway Specialist (GRS) do a mild abrasive rubber block mounted on a U/J and pole, think heavy duty LGB cleaning block that can stand up to the rigours of doing a whole track without ripping to bits and you doing your back in a d wearing out kneelers. I use an LGB block to do "spot" work around points and crossings. Don't forget the electrical conductivity of your layout is only as good as all track joints will allow. Make sure those are not tarnished, just like your rail heads. I use LGB (and other makes) for cleaning the contamination on wheels and pick ups. Any cleaning device will for care for damp railheads. Max

TRACK CLEANER HEAD W TWO HEADS | Garden Railway Specialists Tel:01844 345158 GRS Track cleaning tool here

It is a shame there is no picture of the item in the webshop to give a potential buyer an idea of what is being bought.

 

[maxi-model]

GRS track cleaner on broom stick. Well worn after 15 years. I don't know if they have modified the design. Give them a ring, I'm sure Matt wouldn't mind persuading you to buy one and a whole lot more besides. Max



It lives outdoors, it's never been housetrained.

 

[Railway42]

Garryflex Abrasive Cleaning Block.

Removes light rust and tarnish restoring a bright metal finish, Impregnated with silicon carbide abrasive particles and is available with three grits. I use the Blue block.

 

[PhilP]

Other outlets have similar..

Swivel Sander Head

A piece of old carpet-tile is great for a general 'scrub' to get crud and damp off the track.

 

[maxi-model]

Garryflex Abrasive Cleaning Block.

Removes light rust and tarnish restoring a bright metal finish, Impregnated with silicon carbide abrasive particles and is available with three grits. I use the Blue block.

A pair of blue Garryflex blocks, well worn ones, arewhat you are looking at in my picture. They are fitted to the GRS device as supplied. Max

 

[Rhinochugger]

GRS track cleaner on broom stick.
It lives outdoors, it's never been housetrained.

Where all good broomsticks and their owners belong

 

[JimmyB]

Many thanks everybody, lots of food for thought, though nobody has commented on either the Piko wagon or their cleaning fluid, which I would take to mean either nobody has bothered with either, or were not impressed!!

 

[stockers]

I have never used any liquids. the LGB block seems the best to me. Trying to clean a damp rail (dew) always seems difficult to me. Moisture will produce gunk that then needs wiping off - going round in circles?

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I'd suggest you divide "track cleaning" into 2 parts:

track cleaning - clearing of things that can derail the train, and sticky junk

and

oxide removal from brass rail

Going battery only solves the second issue, the first issue is experienced by everyone, battery and track power.


I have a page on my experience, and I have used several types of liquid cleaners too... it might present options and things you might not have thought of...

Track Cleaning

Greg