evidence that one method works better than others. Despite
lots of posts extolling the virtues of different methods, I found
precious little actual experimental evidence supporting one
method over another. I set out to discover what method would
be effective for me.
Problem #1: My track is dirty and I have
an open house tomorrow!
I compared cleaning track using a track eraser versus a liquid
cleaner and cloth. The quickest way, in terms of elapsed time,
from dirty track to clean, is the track eraser. Liquid cleaners
required multiple passes before the track was clean. A quick
back and forth scrubbing with the track eraser and the track is
shiny clean. For those concerned about scratching the rail, see
the “Myth Busting” sidebar.
The abrasive eraser takes a bit more physical effort than liquids
and cloth. You can even work up a sweat but a bit of exercise
is probably a good thing for most of us. Simply sliding a track
eraser along the track is not particularly effective; a quick back
and forth scrubbing works best. Even when you add the time
to vacuum bits of abrasive and dust off the track, it still takes
less time to get nice clean track. The abrasive cleaner is also
the only thing that will fully remove glue and paint after bal-
lasting and other scenery work. Liquids never really completely
remove this material, even after multiple applications. Every
layout needs a good scrubbing at least once in its lifetime!
Problem #2: The track needs a regular
cleaning.
Liquid track cleaners are useful for regular track maintenance
and for cleaning track in inaccessible areas. These act by dis-
solving the dirt and transferring it a cloth. They take more time
to act, as the solvent has to slowly dissolve the “black gunk.” It
typically takes multiple passes with a solvent- soaked cloth to
get all the dirt off.
I decided to compare various products used as solvents for
track cleaning. My testing method was to rub a short section
of dirty track with a solvent soaked rag. I settled on a test of 10
2. A number of abrasive cleaners: PECO track eraser,
rubber sanding block, Scenic Express eraser, fine
mesh drywall sandpaper, and a cork.
2
Experiments with track cleaning - 2
“...back and forth scrubbing works
best”.
MRH-Jul 2014
