 Joined: 22/08/2017(UTC) Posts: 73 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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How do you clean your HO Marklin tracks?
I do the slow manual way with cotton ball and some alcohol but it is a slow tedious process.
I am looking for powered cleaning kit similar to a Dapol B800 but that can work with AC but haven't been able to find any yet.
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You have been a member since:: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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I use cotton top and deep clean fat free spray for the electronic. Notice the dirt on the cotton top after i did cleaned my K tracks.   |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 06/01/2010(UTC)
Posts: 263
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LUX does this type of things, I haven't tested them so cannot comment more on them. http://www.lux-modellbau.deI never had the need to invest in this, as i found that running trains regularly was enough to keep good connectivity. I just use a märklin track cleaning car from time to time. It is equivalent to model 46042 (https://www.maerklin.de/de/produkte/details/article/46042/) which has 2 felt pads for the outer rails. Otherwise a bit of vacuuming from time to time. I don't touch the point contacts unless there is something optically wrong with them (stuck scenery, glue etc..) in which case I use isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud
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You have been a member since:: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: MrB32 
I don't touch the point contacts unless there is something optically wrong with them (stuck scenery, glue etc..) in which case I use isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud
You forgot oil and rubber messy after traction tyres on the locomotives. |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 06/01/2010(UTC)
Posts: 263
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no I didn't forget, that is the point of the Marklin 46042... What I described is enough for my trains to run.
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Joined: 22/08/2017(UTC) Posts: 73 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Originally Posted by: MrB32 LUX does this type of things, I haven't tested them so cannot comment more on them. http://www.lux-modellbau.deI never had the need to invest in this, as i found that running trains regularly was enough to keep good connectivity. I just use a märklin track cleaning car from time to time. It is equivalent to model 46042 (https://www.maerklin.de/de/produkte/details/article/46042/) which has 2 felt pads for the outer rails. Otherwise a bit of vacuuming from time to time. I don't touch the point contacts unless there is something optically wrong with them (stuck scenery, glue etc..) in which case I use isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud Thanks for the information, looking at eBay I just found one Märklin 46049, same as 46042 I think but different colour. 
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 Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,593 Location: Australia
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Guys, I don't want to seem petty but there are already over 30 topics on track cleaning.. Please have a look at the Similar topics list at the bottom of the page... |
Adrian Australia flag by abFlags.com |
 2 users liked this useful post by xxup
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Joined: 06/01/2010(UTC)
Posts: 263
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I know, but there is nothing wrong with answering a question, isn't that the point of the forum?
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 Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,319 Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
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Originally Posted by: MrB32 I know, but there is nothing wrong with answering a question, isn't that the point of the forum? Agreed. Often one gets the "find the old threads" advice and one sees the info there is 5-10 years old, so one naturally wonders, well, maybe a new technique/solution/best-practice has developed in the intervening years. Best case, the follow-on question is asked as a post to one of those existing threads (keeping the discussion going).. but often times old threads are locked on some forums (bad practice in my opinion), so we get into the habit of starting new threads. Then there is the "index" problem - you go to the index of a book and look up "item a" and rather than giving you a page, it says "see item b" and you wonder, would it not have just been more efficient to give the page number for "item b" here as the answer to "item a". Good times. |
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3 users liked this useful post by Minok
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Joined: 04/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 76
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I use the Centerline Products car. The HO "NMRA Standard" model can be ordered with Marklin couplers. The DC wheelsets are fine on Marklin track. This is a "wet" system, use the cleaning solution (goo gone) sparingly. But it does pick up some crud from the center studs as well as across turnouts. https://www.centerline-p...scale-nmra-specification |
ETE - Swiss Era III - BLS - Brig Station |
2 users liked this useful post by midwestbls
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Joined: 22/08/2017(UTC) Posts: 73 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Originally Posted by: midwestbls I use the Centerline Products car. The HO "NMRA Standard" model can be ordered with Marklin couplers. The DC wheelsets are fine on Marklin track. This is a "wet" system, use the cleaning solution (goo gone) sparingly. But it does pick up some crud from the center studs as well as across turnouts. https://www.centerline-p...scale-nmra-specification Awesome, will ask my brother who lives in Denver, CO to pick one up for me when he visits us during Christmas. Found a video on how they are used, first time to see anything like this.
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3 users liked this useful post by Kapalua
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 Joined: 31/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 868 Location: Brazil
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Hello! For you both that have the opportunity to buy in the USA, here's my 2 cents... For almost a decade now (actually 9 years) I use this wagon, with the plus that it really looks like a real tank wagon: CMX Track CleanerGreat to clean all the layout from time-to-time with Isopropyl alcohol. Cheers Walter
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3 users liked this useful post by waorb
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Joined: 22/08/2017(UTC) Posts: 73 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Originally Posted by: waorb Hello! For you both that have the opportunity to buy in the USA, here's my 2 cents... For almost a decade now (actually 9 years) I use this wagon, with the plus that it really looks like a real tank wagon: CMX Track CleanerGreat to clean all the layout from time-to-time with Isopropyl alcohol. Cheers Walter That is one fine machine but I don't see the availability of Marklin Coupling but will find out. Also available in the UK http://www.digitrains.co...ho-clean-machine-ho.aspxUpdate: Easiest solution for Marklin is to buy Kadee Long with NEM362 connector to your Marklin Locomotive that will take NEM362 https://www.ebay.com/itm...sid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
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1 user liked this useful post by Kapalua
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Joined: 28/07/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Augusta, GA USA
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A tightly woven rag (or micro fiber rag) folded over with NAPHA (lighter fluid) pored on it. Wipe the rails.
Easy, fast and easier and cheaper than any cleaning car.
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Joined: 22/08/2017(UTC) Posts: 73 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Originally Posted by: sudibarba A tightly woven rag (or micro fiber rag) folded over with NAPHA (lighter fluid) pored on it. Wipe the rails.
Easy, fast and easier and cheaper than any cleaning car. You're probably right but it wouldn't be as much fun than pushing or pulling a cleaning car with one of your locomotives.
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2 users liked this useful post by Kapalua
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 Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,594 Location: Spain
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I use what I think DaleSchultz once wrote about; A simple wooden block that you rub against the track.
I tried with some home-built track cleaning waggons, but in the end I find that normal running is the best way to keep the track usable.
Normally it is not necessary to do anything about the center-studs.
If the layout has been without use for some time. (lately this can be MONTHS!) a good running with a heavy locomotive always puts things back to operational standard.
My train-room is located in the basement, has an air-dryer conected ALWAYS, and is pretty free of dust.
-But I want to stress that normally I dont have to do ANYthing. -Not even after months of standing still! |
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Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997
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Originally Posted by: hxmiesa I use what I think DaleSchultz once wrote about; A simple wooden block that you rub against the track.
I tried with some home-built track cleaning waggons, but in the end I find that normal running is the best way to keep the track usable.
Normally it is not necessary to do anything about the center-studs.
If the layout has been without use for some time. (lately this can be MONTHS!) a good running with a heavy locomotive always puts things back to operational standard.
My train-room is located in the basement, has an air-dryer conected ALWAYS, and is pretty free of dust.
-But I want to stress that normally I dont have to do ANYthing. -Not even after months of standing still! yup, I hardly have to clean mine, and here are my wooden blocks: https://cabin-layout.blo...-gone-track-cleaner.html |
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 Joined: 08/09/2015(UTC) Posts: 2,078 Location: Cowansville, QC
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Originally Posted by: DaleSchultz Originally Posted by: hxmiesa I use what I think DaleSchultz once wrote about; A simple wooden block that you rub against the track.
I tried with some home-built track cleaning waggons, but in the end I find that normal running is the best way to keep the track usable.
Normally it is not necessary to do anything about the center-studs.
If the layout has been without use for some time. (lately this can be MONTHS!) a good running with a heavy locomotive always puts things back to operational standard.
My train-room is located in the basement, has an air-dryer conected ALWAYS, and is pretty free of dust.
-But I want to stress that normally I dont have to do ANYthing. -Not even after months of standing still! yup, I hardly have to clean mine, and here are my wooden blocks: https://cabin-layout.blo...-gone-track-cleaner.html Hi Dale, Your product '' Crud B Gone '', is it possible to import it from USA to Canada ? Thank you for you reply Thewolf |
Project Estrie Rail Road-CS3-Track C- Itrain-Digital |
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Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,594 Location: Spain
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Originally Posted by: Thewolf
Your product '' Crud B Gone '', is it possible to import it from USA to Canada ?
Thewolf
Really? -It´s just a square block of wood?!?! -Or are you joking? (Sorry, I didnt want to offend anybody, or steal business away from Dale ;-) ) |
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Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997
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well, its not just a block of wood, it took some work and tries to get the 'block of wood' to have the right size and track grooves... but it is not that difficult to make them once you get the table saw set up just right.
unfortunately I don't have any left to send to Canada...
These would perhaps make a really nice Märklin-users membership item..... but shipping around the world would be expensive. Perhaps someone on each continent can make them up...
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1 user liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
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Joined: 08/09/2015(UTC) Posts: 2,078 Location: Cowansville, QC
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Project Estrie Rail Road-CS3-Track C- Itrain-Digital |
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Joined: 28/07/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Augusta, GA USA
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I must over oil my Loks but I cannot believe anyone who has a fairlly large layout could clean
it with a track cleaning car. I have a lot of older style Loks with the various drum commutator
motors. They probably give more oil to the track.
Dale gave me one of his blocks when I visited him one time when he was still in Chelmsford, MA. USA.
It really works well for short areas but I could not do the time to do my whole layout. I know he has a lot
of older conversions so I was surprised to see that he had to clean seldom. I will have to ask him about this.
Of course I am now in Georgia so I won't see him soon in Maine.
I still think the fastest way to clean is with the right rag and Napha.
Eric
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