Rich, You are entirely correct on different opinions and methods. Mine
seem to be direct opposites of yours. My DCC engines seem to be fussier
than the few DC engines I still have. I tried Goo-Gone and had terrible
results. I've been using Conducta Lube and Cleaner a couple times a
year with two CenterLine cars. I have a feeling that the old WahI
Clipper oil is similar to the Conducta product. I also have a boxcar
outfitted with the Masonite pad that I try to use more often.
I think the Bright Boys and sandpaper should be used as seldom as
possible. That being said most of us who have built our own turnouts
will use a file to smooth the solder joints to start with. I think it's
best to polish the rails after using the bright boy. I have a couple of
dark gray polishing blocks that are fairly fine and I understand they
are used to polish metal surfaces in industrial applications--Micro Mart
sells them I think.
I think the more active your track is, the better off you are--my
problem seems to be in those sidings that aren't used all that
frequently. You know you have dust covered rails when you need two
diesels to bring out some of those cars on some siding. Additionally
track-cleaning cars really don't work their either--I guess the theory
is similar to cleaning snow--use a pilot mounted plow, then a wedge
plow, and lastly the rotary--but chances are the slidings will be hand
shoveled or wait till spring (although I have seen small tractor mount
snow blowers used in small areas--we don't have anything like that--do we)?
Bob Werre
On 12/31/12 4:13 PM, richgajnak wrote:
Ther appears to be as many theories about cleaning track as there are
stars in the sky.
It all boils down to "whatever works for you."
Personally, even though my layout's in an unfinished basement, I only
occasionally have to run a Centerline track cleaning car with Goo-Gone
on the roller.
For the occasional tough spot in switch points or nasty dark spot, I
use a Brite-Boy.
I've also noticed my DC locomotives tend to find the nasty spots
faster than my DCC locomotives.
Rich G(ajnak)
