Folks;

Has anyone found that different manufacturers wheels on carriages build up gunk at very different rates? I just went through one manufacturers carriages and found enormous buildups. Looking through a sample of a different manufacturers of carriages a similar age and usage and I see clean shiny wheels. Anyone see anything similar?

Thanks

Interesting idea!
I have rolling stock from many different brands, but havent seen any "preferrence" for gunk build-up by brand.

But you might be on to something, as I do seem to have a build-up depending on wheel-type. (I´m thinking kind of metal/alloy here)
I havent examined the issue systematically, but some waggons definetly have more gunk than others! -I find myself cleaning the same few waggons most often.

Additionally I wonder if the rate of the build-up could be proportional to the amount of contact-tracks used for feed-back¿?

The profile of wheelsets can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some make more contact with the rails than others. I also think that there may be some difference in the type of metal used by different brands that could have an effect. I also wonder whether the fact that the wheelsets may or may not be used to conduct the ground (return) or to bridge contact between the rails may also have some impact on whether the wheels attract dirt more than others.

Regards

Mike C

The worst brand ever with this problem: Lionel during the postwar period - 1945 - 1969!!!!

I suspect a combination of carpet fuzz, too much oil, and smoke fluid residue to be at fault.