Living my childhood vicariously through all you guys’ videos. Awesome to see the hobby still going strong!

Atco, Yes, I would agree the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and 3M Sponge works great cleaning the track. It's really amazing and makes the slots cars run smooth and fast.

@atco21117

7 жыл бұрын

Super!

I go do a series of things: 1. First vacuum the tracks 2. Use some isopropyl alcohol. I find also, it doesn't hurt to soak some paper towels in isopropyl alcohol and really wipe it down. You can't believe the dirt that comes off those rails.... 3. Use a car with Neo mags (like a newer 440 or so) and run it around awhile (do not use a T-Jet or an old AFX magnatraction) Oxidation is the bane of slot car and model railroad fans.......Good vid though...I think I'll give the eraser and the 3M sponge a shot though...

Beautiful track! Good idea to use the mr clean eraser on the track to get the buildup off

Nice Video. Nice set up to.....Thanks

@atco21117

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! -- Atco

Good info, nice layout.

@atco21117

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob! -- Atco

Great tips

I use a 8ml plastic drop cloth over my 9x5 layout to keep the dust off when not in use.

@atco21117

6 жыл бұрын

Hi TB - It does make it easier not to have to clean all the track when the dust lays onto the track. Good tip. -- Atco

Hi ATco, would you use any solvents, like alcahol or naptha or contact cleaner? let's say that you find dirty track at a yard sale, needs some soap and water so to speak, from being in an attic. I saw a dirty set last week, I passed, kinda beat up. Don

@atco21117

7 жыл бұрын

If I bought some old dirty track, I wouldn't have any trouble cleaning it with soap and water as long as the metal track hadn't gotten rusty. But when cleaning with soap and water, go right after cleaning, rinse everything well with just water, and then use either a hair blower or compressed air to get rid of that water quickly.

@artsmart07

7 жыл бұрын

umajunkcollector/others --(initially mistakenly sent to atco) If you have dirty track NEVER use water in any manner, even the newer AFX and Especially the old Aurora lock & joiner. You'll never have to be concerned about drying it. I have found the best, easiest and cheapest is a simple paper napkin from the fast food places folded into a square or width of the track.(you'll be amazed) fold into a square and wipe carefully and slowly.. turn, fold and repeat. or any lint free or microfiber cloth(if you can stand the feel of those) - a little compressed air or vacuum is a good idea on occasion. and nothing wrong with the Magic erasers(eBay you can get dozens for very cheap) -at some point you will need to used the sanding block or sand paper(or similar)very very lightly, just enough to shine the rails taking off the oxidation.- (600-800 and up -very finest grit is best). Use rubbing alcohol(Wal-mart/other- 50-90%)any time you want to deep clean. Use WD40 on a rag very lightly once a month if you want, but it must be wiped and dried thoroughly. - Used, dirty track - use WD40 or De-Solv-it Citrus on a rag or paper towel or microfiber first, followed by the alcohol. It will turn out super clean and dry. simple, easy and cheap. > to each his own always..

Any reason you chose the fairly limited-choice Life-Like track over competitors such as Tyco or AFX? My preferred method for cleaning dirty power rails is some 220-300 grit sandpaper and VERY lightly brushing from side to side, not along the rails. They go from a dull grey to shiny silver in 1 or 2 strokes, and I can clean a freshly laid 4 lane track the size of my living room (using the track I keep stored away for months/years on end) in just a few minutes.

@atco21117

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Alex - I started my slot car layout with a Life-Like track due to one reason... found a set for $5 at a yard sale, and that's what started me again with slot cars. Once I had a set, might as well stay with Life-Like, even though an AFX set would probably been cool too. Fortunately, I was able to buy many cars from Tyco and Mattel as well. Landed up with about 21 cars. Since I got my layout finished, I haven't needed to use any light sandpaper on the track (of course, that new power adapter was a big fix to my stalls). What I've seen though I've had to run my track no less than once a week, with mostly twice a week. Running the cars for even 10 minutes will keep the tracks running. Has worked for me. See ya -- Atco

Its really cool, but...why are the aurora pier posts upside down?

@atco21117

7 жыл бұрын

Hi YTW - No, I believe I have them setup correct. -- Atco

@youtubewest9506

7 жыл бұрын

i was wondering because the T post snaps into the track with the two little clips to hold it.

@ho2zoo

6 жыл бұрын

At the risk of being called a nit-picker, I don't think those are the original Aurora support piers. They look a little too wide. I've never seen them in black, but of course they could be painted. With the little tabs that stick up, the original ones would be difficult to get to stand that way.

@atco21117

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Ho2 - I probably have a variety of piers. When I need them, I grab whatever is cheap on Ebay. They all work for what I need. I'm not too much into making everything as it was originally. Sometime in the winter I'm going to break down the layout and put an HO train around the perimeter of the 8' table. Then will put the slot car set where ever it will fit into the middle. Will see.. -- Atco

On my HO and 1/32 track, I use an ink eraser on the metal track lines. Remember ink erasers? Tough to find today since many people only text and don’t write with pens.

@atco21117

5 жыл бұрын

Surprisingly, those ink erasers are available in the Dollar Stores. Yeah, do a good job on the tracks yet don't damage them. See ya -- Atco

Atco, I finally decided that I will be going with 30' of Slot Car track along with one or two sets of trains added to make my road and rail complete. I have two different sets that I can go with. The first set is a Life Like 47"x38" Oval and the other also Life Like 56"x38" Oval. I will keep you posted....

@atco21117

7 жыл бұрын

HI Bob - Sounds great! Too early for me to know whether I'll cut down on my slot layout so that I can add a train on it. I'm having a lot of fun with the slot layout, so I may just let it stay as is. If that be the case, then I'll put another layout, but will have to go to the basement. We'll see. I still want to have a train. Don't even know whether I'll go with O-Scale or HO. It's still along way to figure that out. See ya -- Atco

@barryvanlom8943

Жыл бұрын

Which manufacturer of car racetrack will be the most compatibility with a train crossing track? Where can I get a train/car crossing piece? Am I stuck with ebay?

nice one

@atco21117

7 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it's funny. If I don't run the track for a couple weeks, the cars stall. Cleaning the track and then running a car around a few times, it's back in shape. If you saw one of my latest video about the slot car show, there was a guy selling a car cleaning track unit. It's a great idea. His price was $100. Kinda pricey to me. Might have to see what I can do myself on building one of those. See ya -- Atco

a nickel works for cleaning the rails too

I STILL REMEMBER THE SMELL OF NEW TRACKS

@atco21117

5 жыл бұрын

Isn't it odd how smells can bring back your memories! -- Atco

CRC makes great contact cleaner.

@atco21117

3 жыл бұрын

Great tip, thanks! -- Atco

Nice track layout! Can you post a diagram of it? Ty

@atco21117

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Greg - You know, I just started putting on track to see where it would fit piece by piece. When I was done, I think it came out pretty good. But, did not write up a diagram first. Never was good at that stuff anyways (lol). See ya -- Atco

@CoachB.P.

4 жыл бұрын

Can you post arial shot? Ty

A 600 grit sand paper is perfect for cleaning the rails. Anything more course may do do damage to the track.

@atco21117

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Andrew - I try to stay away from anything like sand paper, even at 600 grit. But I have bought some track that was pitted. If not done too often, it does the job. See ya -- Atco

@andrewluchsinger

6 жыл бұрын

I do love your idea of using a magic eraser. I am going to try to use that in the future. That was a great buy getting that set for 5 dollars at a yard sale. I use Tyco track only because I can purchase a few extra sizes of track comparatively to Life-Like. I am running a four lane layout of a 4' X 10' table that I have constructed. The layout is permanent and I will be adding some more scenery to it. Thank you very much for posting your video. I have subscribed.

@atco21117

6 жыл бұрын

I'd like to have some more space for my layout... especially with the train now on it too. Haven't found a way to add more to it though, so I stick as much as I can into a 4' x 8' platform. I think you'll like that magic eraser. Let me know what you think when you try it. Thanks for subscribing! See ya -- Atco

@andrewluchsinger

6 жыл бұрын

I am also a Model Rail Fan. I also belong to a local Model Railroad club. I have a a few ideas if you would like me to share. Just let me know. I have a cross over for a Model Railroad but it's a Tyco track. Here is one of my favorite websites for Slot cars. I have purchased stuff from them in the past and there are a lot of ideas there as well. www.hoslotcarracing.com/

Um...no I run mostly AFX non mags. Get one of those washable sticky lint rollers. You're welcome

You Tube West is correct. the "Y" supports (called pylons back then)are upside down.. but its obviously your choice. Check out the images here closely. >> www.alamy.com/stock-photo-concrete-pylons-supporting-the-dunn-memorial-bridge-albany-new-york-68818459.html www.alamy.com/stock-photo-concrete-support-highway-underpass-4912472.html

@atco21117

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Simon - I'm getting close for making changes with my slot car layout. I'm thinking of pulling out the whole thing, then putting in an HO train around the perimeter. Then put a slot car layout in the middle of it. Something to do during the winter. See ya! -- Atco

Sanding sponge is the wrong thing to use!!! If you want to use sandpaper, find something that is over 1000 grit.

@atco21117

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Michael - I rarely use a sanding sponge unless the track is rusty or pitted. Once I have a track clean and working, if I can remember to run the track at least once a week, it will usually run fine without any maintenance. But, time does get away from me once in awhile. When that happens, of course I do a good dusting first, and will try just a sponge with some alcohol thru the full track layout. If there is some track that will still stall, then I'll use my Mr Clean sponge. For me at least it's worked well. -- Atco

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