Sam: Don't be afraid to use IPA to clean your track! Me: Got it. Drink IPA's while cleaning track.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha definitely don't do that! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@JDsHouseofHobbies

3 жыл бұрын

I will admit, I was getting thirsty from all of the IPA talk!

@Super1337357

3 жыл бұрын

My IPAs are usually between 7 and 9% alcohol though. Maybe a stout would work better?

@tylerjames1716

3 жыл бұрын

IPAs ARE TRASH -This message brought to you by Imperial Stout Gang

@fredashay

Жыл бұрын

Personally, I prefer Guinness while laying track...

Something I've heard a couple times is that the best way to keep rails clean is just to run trains. As long as your wheels are clean (and made of metal) than the friction tends to keep things clean mostly anyways. Soon as a layout sits for a long time, the rails collect grit and crud and dust and it needs to be cleaned again

@RHTeebs

Жыл бұрын

Well, not necessarily. I have an industrial layout with a lot of sidings. Unfortunately, I can't always use every siding.

Nice video Sam and some good points. A few other things to consider: 1) Most chemical substances people use for track cleaning are skin irritants and produce toxic vapours so should be used with gloves in a well ventilated place, plus eye protection just in case of splashes or if you wipe your eyes without thinking. 2) Electrical contact lubricants like Inox or WD40 specialist electrical contact cleaner DON'T leave a sticky residue, though some other chemical cleaners do. 3) One of the major arguments against abrasive cleaning like track rubbers is it produces tiny scratches to your rails which increases surface area and therefore oxidisation. Theoretically this means your rails will get dirty more quickly over time. However how much difference this makes in reality is unclear. I guess the best way to find out is to get some brand new track and set up two lines then clean one with a track rubber and one with an electric contact cleaner, use them the same amount and then see how they compare after a decent length of time. 4) Have you ever tried Gaugemasters high frequency electronic track cleaner? I've seen a few forum posts which swear by it, although I don't know anyone personally who's tried it. My understanding is it should probably only be used on DC layouts as putting an electrical surge through DDC chips isn't a good idea. Overall there seem to be a lot of theories and anecdotal stories about track cleaning, but little hard evidence. And the track manufacturers like Hornby and Peco don't seem to have much to say. Perhaps influencers like yourself could encourage them to do some experiments and publish the results? It would be good PR for them and having some facts to back up a cleaning product would surely be an excellent marketing tactic for them.

My track is so dirty I'll need a few tips this video will help me out a lot! Thanks!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that Rowan - good luck! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Sam, I just wanna say that you are the best railroading channel out there. Love your content and I hope you reach 100k soon!❤

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Awhh thank you so much - that's amazing to hear! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@EofETrainsandLCs

3 жыл бұрын

He already did 😊

This is a video I’d hoped for, for a long time. I’ve got the Atlas incarnation of the track vacuum, and didn’t have much success with it initially. After a full clean out and re-wire, it works really well. It also has DCC which makes pushing it around slowly whilst it’s running a full speed a breeze. I personally use the methylated spirits on paper towel trick on my track, and methylated spirits on a cotton bud to clean the wheels. That’s always worked for me, but please don’t use any sort of contact cleaner on your track! I used “CRC Switch Cleaner Lubricant” on my track once, and whilst it initially seemed to work really well, after a little bit, it built up into this black tar like substance on my track, and on my locomotive and carriage wheels (sometimes the resultant grime built up so thick on my carriage bogies, they wouldn’t turn anymore, and I had to scrape them clean with a screwdriver). I honestly think I’m still trying to get some of it off my rolling stock almost 15 years and 3 layouts later! Thanks again for your insight on this topic.

@brianfearn4246

Жыл бұрын

I agree Steve Methylated spirit works well and not expensive

I'm an old Luddite and still using my Triang track cleaning waggon with Methylated spirit

@lesbird2074

3 жыл бұрын

They may be old technology but they work

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha fantastic - yes I know lots of people use those, they do look good! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@methylatedspirit6810

3 жыл бұрын

Hello i clean your track

Hello Sam. Another fascinating video. My father always used a Peco track cleaning rubber since 1974. Never had any problems. It always makes the way permanent. Another classic Sam SUPERB thank you 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🐖🚄🚅

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Mark - wow have they been around for that long?!? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

This is really helpful for me as my railway room gets so dusty!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Hope it helps! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@EsotericArctos

3 жыл бұрын

The vacuum will be helpful in a more dusty environment, even if you have to run it over daily.

Plot twist: Sam is actually gonna live in that house forever without making his dream railway.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha maybe!! xD

@sebastianfirman5780

3 жыл бұрын

Sam'sTrains Not if you get a mansion 🤫🤫🤫🤫

@adamchmielewski6162

3 жыл бұрын

@@sebastianfirman5780 they cost money, not lego

@knuckles1206

3 жыл бұрын

Sad Ending

@donaldduckith6792

3 жыл бұрын

@@adamchmielewski6162 Ah, but a lego mansion would cost way more than an actual mansion.

Hi Sam, great video! I discovered a neat trick just the last time I cleaned the track. To apply a cleaner (e.g. isopropyl alcohol), I had previously applied it to a cloth. But every time I got to the points, I had to be very careful to stop it snagging on the pointy bits. I had the bright idea to hold a piece of cork underlay on the bottom of a plastic ruler, squirt solvent on the end, and press down against the track and run along (flat side of the ruler down). The cork glides nicely over points and untidy rail joints without a hiccup.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing - yeah the cloth isn't ideal actually - I did see a tool in Mike's video that looked way better, I'm thinking of investing in one! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I really needed this video! Thanks mate

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Good luck! :D

This is incredibly useful, thanks. I do have a question about the Dapol vacuum cleaner: presumably the direction the fan rotates switches with voltage polarity, i.e. with the direction of travel? If so, does it blow the dust out instead of sucking it in if you go the wrong way?? I'm assuming they must have thought of that but I can't find any info that addresses this point. Thanks!

Well said Sam! The quality of track rubber matters! I have used some horrible ones that shed way too much dust even in few strokes but this Peco one seems really reliable!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Very much so - I was put off by the price of Peco ones, and looked at Hornby and Gaugemaster ones.... both in the bin within the week! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

This has to be one of the most well thought out, objective and informative videos I have seen on the subject. Well done sir!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much - that's very kind of you! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi Sam, great video. I use the gaugemaster track cleaner - it is a tank in HO made out of brass so extremely heavy with a piece of corduroy cloth that rubs on the tracks. I fill the tank with 'Goo Gone' which then drips onto the cloth, it is a brilliant cleaner. In fact the tank is so heavy I have to use a pair of 37's top and tailing it! Also it has the advantage of cleaning the loco wheels as well! My layout is 20" x 11" and I never worry about fish plates or voltage drop as it is DCC and almost every rail is individually connected to the bus line!

Next time on Sams trains: Sam fits all his engines with track cleaning things in there undercarriages and such

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha!! xD

@fhwolthuis

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah drag a track rubber with a powerful loco

@elijahfreemantle5483

3 жыл бұрын

I wonder if I should do that for my railroad. It would save me a lot of time to just have an engine that I use for track maintenance.

do you think you could do a video comparing all of the main OO setrack track makers (bachmann, peco, hornby etc)?

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Great idea Ben, that could be interesting! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@skuula

3 жыл бұрын

That would be real cool, especially with a ind of grouping into which fit well together. I bought 2 lots of used N scale track some time ago, having no idea what I was doing. It was only luck that the Roco and the Minitrix pieces were actually identical, and fit perfectly.

@mikeking2539

3 жыл бұрын

Just use Peco track and points,

I remember that video you're talking about. When I was watching it I just thought "eh?". Used a Hornby track rubber for donkeys with no problems. I just use a Hoover afterwards to get any bits that have been dropped. Works a treat every time. With the new larger layout I was thinking of getting he sharg cleaner out of pure laziness. I've used IPA before with no issues too, I'd probably use that in the sharg. I remember watching that video and looking at my 5l tub of 99.9% IPA and just laughing. The one thing I found absolutely useless was Track Magic. It left a film all over the track which greatly reduced traction up my inclines. Ended up having to go clean it all off again with a track rubber! Great video, obviously the other one hit a sore spot with you, and no wonder with such bad information. Cheers, John.

Hi Sam I just wanted to let you know I followed your advice, on our railway club layout everyone has a station they control so as to teach other club members. I decided to clean up my station trackage first using the Peco rubber and it cleaned up a treat, everything runs well and better now so I thought I would say cheers.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear that Guy - they are amazing things - thanks for the feedback mate! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Should’ve opened with The X Files theme song after you said “My personal secrets” 😂

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha I know right!! xD

@alexgini1517

3 жыл бұрын

hi, update. took track back to where i bought it. they cleaned it and the train worked, straight throw. bought a peco rubber cleaner. thanks

Person: says track rubbers make a mess Me: it’s just making ballast Also, can you make a tutorial on how to make a tart class?

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha exactly - just ballast!! haha I don't know - there's no exact science to it, lol! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@speleokeir

3 жыл бұрын

"how to make a tart class?" - Send her to a Swiss finishing school for elocution and deportment lessons? Sorry, I'll get my coat!

Great video. I use a peco track rubber too. I use hornby ones for loco/wagon wheel cleaning if the dirt is stubborn, but they're not very effective cleaning track. I got a gaugemaster one, but I found it too big for some sections with limited clearance, and it sheds material quite a bit more then the peco one, so I've restricted its use to the 0 gauge stuff, where it fits over both rails of 0 gauge track perfectly fine. I also use noch axle-hung track cleaning pads (I have 4 of them somewhere), although these get mucky quite quickly. I've also recently started using a triang track cleaning vehicle with replacement felt, but I put IPA on the felt to clean better. This would be ideal for harder to reach bits like my fiddle yard. Ideally, I'd get a sharge track cleaning vehicle, the uk version of the cmx cleaner which is a bit lighter but also 1/3 of the price, which you fill with cleaning fluid of your choice and it goes round cleaning track very well. On my list is a dapol track cleaning vehicle, to use exclusively as a vacuum like you do, but I keep putting off the purchase.

excellent video Sam, very informative my old layout i used the good ol' Peco track rubber, never had an issue with it. As for after cleaning I had a triang box van with a felt pad underneath, soaked that is a LITTLE surgical spirit and ran it up and down a few time (it as an end to end layout and that first cleaned the rail heads, then after the spirit evaporated, gave it a quick buff. If I needed to give the rails a real going over, say after a few weeks when it was out of use due to track relaying or the like, a gentle rub over with superfine jewelers quality emery paper (FF grade) would do a fine job. And a trick i used with fish plates. in places where the track joins were permanent I would secure the plates with a tiny dot of solder to ensure a good connection. In places where I thought I may need to break the track for relaying or base board movement, i would bridge the fishplate with a tiny piece of copper wire soldered to the outside of the rails bridging the fishplate area in such a way that is could be snipped or de-soldered easily. This assured good connectivity and smooth running on all track

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing Jon - yeah I do swear by those rubbers! Thanks for sharing your methods, and yes I've heard about track being soldered that way, sounds good to me! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Have you tried putting magnets under the track cleaner to pick up metalic fragments?

@radzieckigraczproductions3

3 жыл бұрын

Ooh you got a heart

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds a stunning idea - definitely give that a try! :D

@annoyingbstard9407

3 жыл бұрын

@@SamsTrains The abrasive will be silicon carbide, zirconium oxide or aluminium oxide. Unfortunately none of them are magnetic.

I haven’t cleaned my track for weeks however I have recently received a gauge master high frequency unit which cleans track

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Ahh interesting - I've heard about those! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@doggerbendrailway6002

3 жыл бұрын

They work for DC models but will cook decoders on dcc

@davidstrains4910

3 жыл бұрын

@@doggerbendrailway6002 there one reason to stay with DC then

@doggerbendrailway6002

3 жыл бұрын

I used to work my trains in a high dust area and rubber and metholated spirts worked very well on dcc

@tankmicr00man

3 жыл бұрын

I just fitted a Gaugemaster GMC-HF2 to my (pre-cleaned) tracks yesterday, so obviously it's on trial, but I did notice the number of pulses (as it burnt off dirt) from the leds reduced substantially after only half an hour. A good part of the layout is covered and very tricky to clean manually, so hopefully it will now stay clean! PS bought new from Hattons last year, it was forty-something pounds, less than some of the Fleabay used ones!

Loved this video yes please do the follow up. Thanks for sharing. I am new to model railroading this was of great help and informative. Keep up the great work! Well done Sam!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tony - definitely thinking about it! Appreciate it mate, Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Great video, Sam and very informative. I also heard about track rubbers leaving mess but I've never had any problems with my Peco one. In fact, I prefer to use the track rubber on my smaller layouts, it just seems to make things run well. For my main track in the loft I've always used contact cleaner. I spray it on to a smooth cotton cloth and run it over one rail at a time. I also use this sprayed on cotton buds to clean wheels and such. And the same as you, I vacuum my track, too :)) All the best mate....Tom

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom - yeah with a bit of vacuuming, the tiny amount of mess they leave becomes totally negligible ! I've ordered some contact cleaner, so I will do some video tests on it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hey Sam so I probably haven't too seen look so cool with that hornby of character I think anyway well how do they making bro

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

That's okay Llesh, thanks for sharing! Sam :)

@LleshGordon2122

3 жыл бұрын

@@SamsTrains your welcome

Thank goodness. I needed this, my track is worse then yours (including THOSE points).-Das Mann

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha no worries mate - hope this helps! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi Sam. Very interesting subject. Peco track rubbers are great, especially if like me you sometimes don’t run trains for long periods and the track starts to tarnish. However another trick I’ve learned is to use the rough side of a small piece of hardboard with a little block glued to the smooth side to hold it. Once the track has had a clean with the track rubber I go over it again with the hardboard. After that I won’t use the rubber again unless i leave it and it starts to tarnish. I just use the hardboard.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate, yeah never had a problem with the Pico ones either! That sounds great, I'll give that a try! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

With runing trains on carpet the amount of lint and dust picked up all depends on how cleen the carpet is and what type of carpet. Your carpet is flat hard carpet so its all good. But soft fluffy carped is definitely a no no many because it will pickup and hold alot of dust. Love the vid sam Congratulations on 100k.

Me who just accidentally Broke a point while fixing a derailment issue: Interesting

@fryreviews693

3 жыл бұрын

For anyone wondering: I was Un nailing my track and a bit of rail got ripped off

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Oops!! Did you fix it??! :( Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Bro you can use that thing to clean the track if their is Covid-19 on the track

@skuula

3 жыл бұрын

Tie those viruses to the track and run an express freight over them.

@thephoenixking1086

3 жыл бұрын

They won't clean Covid off the track, you will need some anti-viran solution for that which may damage the track. I am guessing you are asking encase the track is being touched by people and not as a joke.

@thephoenixking1086

3 жыл бұрын

In that sense, the same goes for the controller, Loco and so on, So I am not sure, maybe an antibacterial cloth.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha! ;D

I have a small ho scale track that I keep having to take apart and clean, this will help! Thanks!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear that - hope this helps! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Absolutely spot on Sam. I use a Peco rubber too and I've never had any problems with it. I also use my Dapol track cleaner in vacuum mode only. (I found that some of the rotating pads caught point blades.) I've found IPA and a cotton bud is ideal for cleaning between point blades and the adjacent rails.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Les - yeah I do swear by the rubbers, with gentle use I've never had any issues! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Polar solvent or not, I would have thought that the IPA will have evaporated away shortly after use. Thereby, leaving zero residue. I don’t think the polarity of the solvent would therefore be an issue.

Oh Sam what a rabbit hole this is! May I add my half penny? I too have a large loft layout and it is cleaned once a year all over, with a PECO track rubber. The next bit may be worth your experimentation? I rub sections of the layout with a 2B graphite crayon. A spark quench, contact improver, and also a dry lubricant. The latter being a reason for not over doing the graphite. If excess has been applied the track rubber will remove it! However, this does mean that the majority of the layout is cleaned once a year, loco wheels the same. The bit of the layout the cat sleeps on needs more regular cleaning! My show layouts and stock, many have not been cleaned for a few years, in some cases. I assume the need , or lack of cleaning, results from the layout not sitting flat in dust collecting mode all the time... Also the show layouts tend to spend much time boxed out of use and then periods of intense operation over a one or two day period. Graphite crayons may be bought cheaply from a decent graphic arts supply shop.... Cheers for an interesting film

Hi Sam a splendid video indeed. I must admit that track cleaning has been a grey area but I now use a track cleaning car after using the rubber,no problems at all.

Informative as always Sam, keeping your track clean, is paramount for good running....thanks as always...Bob

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Bob, it certainly is! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

It’s wonderful to see what needs doing what needs to be done on the maintenance of your track. At the moment, I don’t have my own layout. But when I finally get into a better flat I will be building my Ongar Station layout and running permanent Steam Gala.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Ahh very exciting - hope you can build something awesome one day! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@Madonsteamrailways

3 жыл бұрын

@@SamsTrains Thank you, Sam!! I’m going to get three pieces of equipment when I finally move home, a 3D printer, a new locomotive or two and a load of track with which to build my first proper layout.

Thanks for the video full of useful info as usual. I use an old Hornby R344 in conjunction with IPA, it’s worked for me with no problems .

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

It's a pleasure Stephen - that sounds great! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hey Sam. I've seen the video in question and I have to say I agree with you more on the subject - I've personally been using alcohol and Peco rubber cleaners for nearly 15 years and haven't run into any major issues however I did want to get your thoughts on something. One thing the video claimed is that the rubber can leave deposits on your track which will get on your wheels, I have had this issue on stock that covers a lot of distance each month. I try my best to make sure lubricants stay off the track and 95 percent of the stuff I run has metal wheels. I don't remember having this issue in the past however this issue seems to have started after I started using the Peco branded one, instead of the one I had been using years before. Do you suspect this is due to something else or related? Thanks ~Harrison

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot mate - yeah never had a problem with track rubbers either! I think it depends on the rubber - I once bought a Gaugemaster one that was horrible, and left all kinds of gunk on the track. Never had it happen with the Peco one though! You never know though - an experiment/investigation into that might make a good vid? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Sam explains things really really well, great vid mate :)

Nice method of cleaning your track, it keeps things nice and clean!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate!! :D

Sam, very helpful advice about the points. I had never thought of that. And I liked when you talked of the danger of flaps becoming loose. Always something to be aware of haha!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Ian - haha absolutely!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I just use a Peco track rubber. I've had the same one for about 10 years. The track gets cleaned fairly regularly, maybe once every two months (or as I see fit). Never had any issues.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Me too William - they're great aren't they?! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Was thinking about this video recently because I tried something new; carburetor air intake cleaner. Just sprayed a bit onto a Jay cloth and gave the rails a wipe and it did a brilliant job.

Hi Sam Well put together, useful and very informative!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Leroy!

Sam great to see you are coming up on 100,000 subscribers way to go.

Nice video Sam. Would be nice if you could do more mythbusting with model railways. Your "experiments", older model reviews and themes running sessions really sets you apart from other channel. Looking foward to you getting 100k subscribers soon!

so close to 100k mate! Wish you all the best for the exiting (and nearby) future.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much mate, I really appreciate it! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I use a cheap battery operated vacuum cleaner and IPA on a cotton swab. But after seeing your video I might give the cleaning block a try on my Trix rails. Thanks for sharing this interesting video!

I use CMX cleaner and Googone. I find it seems to last for ages and not get dirty as quickly. I’d be interested in seeing you test this out as well.

Thanks for responding to the anti track rubber video. My Fleischmann rubber is very efficient. Here's a thought for you - when I was young in New Zealand my family had a large Marklin layout and we NEVER needed to clean the track! I think it ran faultlessly for around 30 years. My father became hooked on Marklin when they were visiting Germany in 1952 and spent the budget on trains!

Sam - outstanding video ...and a great topic. Good to see you are honest. I wouldn't spend a mint on a "final" layout EITHER, iF I knew it was not a place I was going to stay at for any massive length of time. Fishplates - We call 'em "joiners" here in the US....point well taken though - make sure those things are in perfect shape and clean before you use them. Electrical contact is EVERYTHING to achieve a clean, smooth, running railroad..... As you've shown, I would also suggest just vacuuming the track after you clean it....with whatever you decide to use. In fact, vacuum the track every 3 weeks or so regardless. I've also had basic success with a VERY FINE grit sandpaper lightly run over the rails....followed by a great wiping with isopropyl alcohol......(always use 99% pure folks), finally followed by a final vacuuming. I tried that "Rail Zip" crap....and it was BAD - DON'T do it as it LEFT a residue that just caused me trouble. After cleaning your rails....it's also good to clean your cars and loco wheels at the same time so the dirt from the locos and cars don't get tracked back ONTO your clean rails! Is it a pain?....yeah...it is...but a good running model railway is WELL worth it! Keep those car wheels clean! For slot car fans (as I am one also), these same basic principles described above apply.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Yeah as soon as I started checking the fishplates/joiners, you wouldn't believe how many problems just disappeared! Thanks for sharing your methods too, Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Again great video Sam. I find using methylated spirit dose a great job of cleaning the tracks aswell as the loco wheels

Hi Sam, what a nice well balanced video and thanks for the shout and link. I do recommend 'WD40 Contact Cleaner' now after decades of using IPA. There should be no loss of traction as it evaporates as fast as IPA but it would be an interesting test all the same. Going back to the Peco track rubber I 100% agree and while I've not needed to use it since switching fluids, I fully intend to carry on using it as needed, like you showed, there is no need to scrub the rails, just lightly pass it over a few times and occasionally clean the rubber! As to track damage, I did a video using a microscope that shows in fact, used properly the rubber smooths the rails down (burnishing) Great stuff mate, Mike.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Mike - very glad to have seen your video before I released this one... I'd be really disappointed to have missed the polar-solvent concept! I've ordered some of the WD40 contact cleaner, and may well do some tests on video - I'll be really interested to see how it works! I do like the rubbers - they're a good compromise for me, as I have lots of track and very little time! ;) Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@ModelRailwaysUnlimited

3 жыл бұрын

@@SamsTrains Cheers Sam, I will look out for that.

My layout is in a detached garage that gets cold when I'm not in there with a heater on and I usually don't spend time in there during the winter months. It means that there can be a number of weeks with no use and the rails get quite dirty. I have found that the Hornby club red 0-4-0 Bagnal diesel shunter runs quite happily on the dirty track, it's often the only loco that will run on my track when dirty. I will often use it with the Hornby track cleaning carriage running around my 3 continuous circuits for about 30 minutes at a time which gets most of the grime off however I get best results going around with the Pico track rubber and use it on the branches. I also use IPA with good results and a glass fiber pen for the points though it takes time as I have 40 set of points on my layout! My solution for fish plates is Conductive Wire Glue, a little drop into the fish plate on assembly and all surfaces are electrically connected, if it's a small drop then a good waggle and pull will break the joint without damage if the layout needs changing.

Hi Sam - for what it's worth I've used IPA on a cotton bud on narrow gauge tracks and it works superbly, evaporating quickly and leaving no residue (quick tip - you can also use it for cleaning video recorder and audio cassette heads if you're old skool). I would urge caution about using WD40 on trackwork - not because it won't work but because WD40 can have catastrophic effects on loco chassis with lots of plastic in there (Obviously Hornyby Dublo and the like will not have this problem). A friend tried WD40 to clean a Berlinerbahn TT loco chassis - which promptly fell apart! Forewarned is forearmed

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing David, yes I've never had a problem either! Yeah I wouldn't put WD40 anywhere near my models... the contact cleaner remains to be seen though! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@Poliss95

3 жыл бұрын

The only model railways use for WD-40 is to oil the hinges of your front gate so the missus doesn't hear the postie delivering your extremely expensive new loco. :-)

Everard Junction has done a video with the American CMX track cleaner using 'Goo Gone' fluid. It's basically a tank wagon filled with cleaning fluid with a piece of cloth attached beneath the chassis. You control the flow rate of the fluid via a screw top. By far one of the best examples out there. Shame there isn't one on the British market but you could convert an old tank wagon in to one, that's what I'm planning to do in future. Maybe you could look in to it and do a video?? Would make an awesome project. I have a Hornby track rubber but also use Deluxe Materials 'Track Magic' solution, highly recommended Sam. ;)

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Russell, I'll have to look into that too! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi Sam! My name is Leo, and I wanted to start by saying thank you for having the videos like these. When I started watching your videos over a year ago, hey gave me the confidence to be able to get out there and start my own remodel railway. On to the real reason I am commenting, I use both IPA and CFC free contact cleaner in my day to day at work, and I’ve noticed that when cleaning my tools, (they have a chromed finish on them) that contact cleaner does seem to leave a bit of a film on them. So I would love to see what you find out by using it on your model railway, and why effect, if any that the contact cleaner has. Thank you again for all the wonderful videos, and have a wonderful day!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

It's my pleasure Leo, thanks so much for the kind comments! I'll definitely investigate the contact cleaner, thanks for the tip! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Pulled some old tarnished brass Fleischmann rails out to make a temporary test track & used Brasso & a soft cloth to shine them up to work beautifully.

I'm not terribly keen on abrasive cleaners, but the Peco one is brilliant for cleaning up track with small nicks on the running surface, or even tiny blobs of solder. It will remove most imperfections and leave a lovely smooth surface. Glass fibre pens work well but leave nasty debris that can stick into your skin as micro splinters. My preferred method is to use the CMX cleaning wagon. It's an American HO product and resembles a bogie tanker wagon, but is made of solid brass - it weighs a ton - with a spring loaded cleaning pad that is pressed against the track. The tanker part holds the cleaning fluid which is then allowed to drip onto the pad via an adjustable outlet so that it is constantly being replenished. I prefer to use automotive brake cleaner as my cleaning fluid; it dries almost instantly and leaves no residue while being harmless to most plastics and very cost effective at around £10 for 5 litres. You need a powerful loco to push this wagon because there is friction between the cleaning pad and the rails, but after three passes you can rub your finger along the rail and you will see no dirt on your finger at all. If you rub before cleaning you will bet a horrible black line on your finger. This wagon cleans only and won't remove any imperfections in the track but it works brilliantly. There is only one downside - mine cost about £150! It's a case of being pleased to have spent more money than you wanted to because the result is really good.

Hi Sam, lots of handy hints and “bravo” with regards the track rubber myth busting! 👏 I am a bit naughty as I use 3000 glass paper if I haven’t used mine for a while, purely because it is outdoors and gets very dirty! It doesn’t damage anything though, and when I use the railway regularly I barely have to clean it. Oh, and the “rule of four” is spot on! That will always shift it! 😉 I bought a hand-held hoover for £50 which sucks up any dirt and also helps keep my shed fairly dust free! 👍 Actually, I am off until Monday and now the wind has dropped and it is sunny out, I may well go and give it all good clean 🤔 Cheers matey! 🍻👍🌈

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Tim! Ahh I suppose if you're outdoors, desperate measures may be in order! Fantastic - have fun out there mate! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi sam! Another useful video. I do have the dapol track cleaner and i often use i.p.a. But i still don t have the track rubber. It is a good tip for which i am really grateful. Cheers! And thank you.!!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Mister Paul - give the rubber a try, remember not to go too hard with it... always had great results! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Thanks sam for the video. This video was very helpful to me because lm a begginer in ho-scale. The fish contacts was extremely helpful.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

It's a pleasure - really glad you liked it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Good video. I have been cleaning my track using bleach and a 14 inch industrial angle grinder and I have to regularly replace my entire model railway because of the unspeakable carnage. Thanks for the advice.

Really helpful, thanks so much Sam. I was wondering if I put a layer of weathering on my track to give a more dull effect will a track rubber rub the weathering off?

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Harry - yes the rubber would remove the weathering, but I'm not sure the track would still conduct properly if it was coated in paint/weathering! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I have been using track rubber for about 30 years had no trouble with them at all keep up the good work Sam telling everybody 🇬🇧

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear that Roy - me neither, appreciate it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Interesting video Sam, thanks. I have a lot of stored track which has not been used for several years. Will a track rubber be enough to clean them up?

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Pete - yeah the rubber will be just the job! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I have a walthers bright boy track rubber... what do you think of those?

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds cool - I've never actually seen one!! :O Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I have modelled railways for over 50 years and the Peco track rubber is the best method. I have a rubber that's 11 years old, one doesn't need to rub hard to get tarnish off. A very informative video, there again, that's why I watch you :)

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

I agree Anthony, though I don't have the experience you do! They really do last for ages! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I saw in an American video on youtube that the guy had a Tidy Track which is a cleaning head attached to a metal handle via a moveable joint. It followed the rails and he just pushed it around. Quick and easy.

Quite interested in that battery powered loco for track cleaning idea, might have to have a bodge of one myself for N Gauge sometime! Also I may need to get round to giving my layout a good clean sometime...

Great video Sam,i must admit i use all those methods you showed.In fact when i first started back into this great hobby,a friend gave me a load of old track which was pretty dirty,so i cleaned it all up using the rubber and IPA.I also purchased a Gaugemaster track cleaning wagon,but as yet i havent got a loco that will pull the blooming thing !

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Michael - yeah I've never had a problem doing it this way! haha yeah, not easy to pull with the attachments fitted! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@michaeldavies9600

3 жыл бұрын

@@SamsTrains No i meant the Gaugemaster track cleaning wagon with a fitted rubber underneath.

hi, this video has great timing. just bought myself some second hand track. the loco stop just after reaching it. i've test each track same thing. i did notice the fish plates are a bit ratty and loose. so thanks for the advise.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Ahh fantastic - all the best sorting it out! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi Sam, yet another great video with words to think about. I used an electrical contact rubber for the rails but found it went very quickly. Then went across to 99.9% IPA Which works really well and also on the loco wheels. Have now got a PECO track rubber which I use much as you demonstrated. Fishplates now that one to think about, just need to find a good supplier at good price as they can quickly add up. Thanks again for a great video. I did think about your layout on carpet but it’s the train/railway room. Not living room carpet.... 👍😎

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Marc! Yes I've used 99.9 for a long time (mainly on locos) and do swear by it! That's true, they can be very expensive in large quantities! xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Fast and easy track cleaning count me in keep up the good work Sam

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Harry, hope you like it! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Very interesting video today Sam I use the peco track rubber I have used that one for 2 years

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks James - yeah I've used them for a long time!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Great video, thanks Sam!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much James! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Nice review Sam ,I’ve never had trouble with Peco track rubber ,it really does depend on how you use it ,gently is my way & it works ,but do it often .😊

Absolutely smashed a few myths there then Sam, well done. I am a bit of a newby when it comes to Railway modelling. I did watch a video by Fishplates; a very interesting guy to say the least when it comes to his 'delivery'. He is convinced, as a long serving electrician, that using INOX which is a conductive lubricant is best. However, I take your point that lubricants could reduce grip, which is essential to getting up inclines, even if you have used the magnet powerbase system from DCC Concepts, which uses weighted magnets and metal plates under your track, to assist in climbing inclines; which I discovered that it does. I might consider using a Peco Track Rubber now after this video. I would love you to do a video on comparing INOX, along with other types. Cheers, Rick the Bulldog of Digon Alley Station.

Hi Sam. Good information.I have a track cleaning wagon.and peco rubber,(I live round the corner from Peco) , simple and effective, All the Best Brian 🤗

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for sharing Brian - lucky you!! Do you get a discount for being next door?! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

That's amazing video Sam

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Justin! :D

Yes! The 'Vibe Tracks Zoom' music sounds amazing.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha thank you! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi Sam, great video. Here's my theory for track cleaning. If you look at the real railway, you will notice that the regularly used track is nice and shiny and the least used track is dull and almost rusty by comparison. So to keep your track clean, just keep running trains and that is the best part of the hobby. By the way I only have to clean my track 2or3 times a year. I use electrical contact cleaner on points and a peco track rubber for the rest of the track. Keep up the good work. Cheers Chris.

@ivovanzon164

3 жыл бұрын

Get your hands on the old ADE track if you want that effect, those were treated with a special conductive paint and changed color depending on use

Good evening Sam Another excellent video, I do enjoy the technical explanations you do. This may sound daft but it never occurred to me to look for IPA on eBay! I will also invest in a fibre pen. In terms of what I do to clean track, believe it or not I have found the cardboard (the inside face of a cereal box for example) can remove dirty from rail surfaces. As the dirt is visible on the card, you can keep going until no more dirt appears. Something else I have heard people do (and I am yet to try it myself) is use graphite from pencils, rubbed over areas like points to improve electrical continuity. Stay well.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Adam! Yeah go for it - just be careful not to touch the fibres. Yes I've heard of cardboard being used before too - that's one I should try too!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi Sam thanks for the tips, quick question, I got loads of old hornby track (late 80s-very early 90s) would they be viable to use with modern track or are they likely to cause a drop in power? Curious as I'm currently building a small/medium layout and not sure if its wise to mix track metals

@paulpaxtop1580

3 жыл бұрын

I mixed track up on my n gauge layout... mistake ... Trix/Bachman/peco are all slightly different causing real problems especially with fitting points

A very interesting post. I know a dealer who regularly uses lighter fluid on his track cloth. It's amazing. Steveo

Great vid. I use a Bachmann track cleaner. It is a motorized box car with two scrubbers that scrub each rail as you add current into the track it powers The scrubbers are use a diesel locomotive to pull the cleaner and just after a couple of laps it looks new again. The scrubbers have sticky pads that you replace and that is all there is to it

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Thomas - I never knew they made one - very cool, I'll look it up! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I use electrical contact cleaner for delicate electrical switching gear which works really well. I spray a small amount on a clean rag then 2 wipes ,nice clean track,it does improve the conductivity I have a Peco track rubber which I used to use ,now only occasionally if I have run out of electrical contact cleaner. I haven’t noticed any lack of adhesion on the part of my locomotives and I have a couple of grades although my locomotives are Athearn,Atlas,Bachmann Diesels which have heavy diecast chassis which gives them good adhesion. I enjoyed watching the video and your fact based approach to it.👍😀😀😀🚂

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Tony - I'll definitely be getting some!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Good to see some well researched advise going out there! I'd like to know more about this polar/non polar cleaning. I run HO/OO outside on peco code 100. Generally cleaning is before every running session as the rails do tarnish outside rather quickly. ( I don't need to manually weather them!!) It would be great if one cleaner or another would discorage dirt tho!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Stese - I'd like to know more too, will get some and do some testing! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Great video, I’m off to change my fishplates on my layout now-Ben

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha good luck - hope it makes a difference for you! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Thank you again Sam, you always prove your statements, ie the track rubber on wood, I'm a big believer in the peco track rubbers and like you have used poor ones, but I'm always looking for better and easier ways as I have approximately 240 feet of track to clean and it's a 00 gauge garden railway and I'm not getting any younger, I've tried most cleaners without success and always come back to the peco track rubbers, the only thing I haven't tried is the CMX mobile cleaner, I have had some good feedback from users, have you or any of your colleagues had any experience of this as they are expensive which of course is ok providing they are an equal or give better results than a track rubber, thank you so much again for your informative videos Sam.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Paul - yeah I am too - I've always sworn by them! Thanks for sharing - I'll definitely look into some of those cleaners! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I construct my layout at will since I haven't got much track, so whenever I put together a layout from various parts of track I have laying about, I wipe the layout down with a regular wet wipe. I do this just so my locomotives can run better, and usually, it works like a charm! I'd just like you're opinion if this method is efficient.

Another quick question. What do you use to connect the wire to the track because I thought it looked like you used something like crocodile clips.

Brilliant vid Sam. Thanks heaps. Very helpful indeed.

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Robert, glad to hear that! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Hi Sam, for adding additional power to the other side of the layout do you just plug your wires into the back of the controller? (I’ve got an hm2000) and does it matter what wires you use?

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

It doesn't matter what wires you use, and yes you could just jam two wires into the controller if you wanted to bodge it. Probably easier to solder two sets of wires together, but whatever works for you! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Fascinating stuff !! Be interesting to see your comments on using and cleaning older coated steel track, funnily enough I saw a recent YT vid which pointed out probably the only advantage of said track being that old Triang locos with magnadhesion worked better on plain steel track. Aso a trial of the famous old Traing Hornby track cleaning wagon would be fun, keep up the good work !!

@SamsTrains

3 жыл бұрын

haha I do have some steel track - not a fan of it, and it certainly requires more regular cleaning... but the magnadhesion is definitely a big plus! Thanks for watching, Sam :)