I bought recently a used loco from the 80s. Although the outside of the loco was in good shape, the inside was really dirty, especially at the gears.

I tried to clean the gears with some paper to no avail. I then tried to spray some WD40 on them and I was amazed buy the amount of dirt that was removed. Following the spraying I used some paper to clean all areas from excess WD40 and I put the loco to test.

Unfortunately the loco was spinning all the time and I thought that I destroyed something. After some thought I realized that the reason for the spin was the traction wheels that were full of WD40 and they were loosing traction from the rails.

I then cleaned the wheels and put the loco close to a radiator for the excess WD40 to dry out.
I tested the loco the next day (after putting a drop of oil on the gears) and the loco was running perfectly.

Bottom line. WD40 worked perfectly for me on that specific loco.

Do you have any similar experience with WD40 or any other cleaner?

I just got a 1960s A series DR 800 Diesel Railcar that was siezed I took the motor out sprayed it with WD 40,wiped off the excess cleaned it with rubbing alcohol, oiled spun the motor by hand it and it runs like its band new.

WD40 is excellent for cleaning gears and general muck etc. but be careful with it.
If using it on the motor make sure it is all cleaned out afterwards - I have known it to soften the carbon brushes (coals) which can lead to problems with the commutator (collector) fouling up later.

I have also accidentally got some on the traction tiles of my BR118 - I had cleaned a bit of track with it and must have left some on there. The traction tyres came off the wheels soon afterwards and when I went to put them back on I found they had swelled up to a larger size and so were useless - they were about 4mm bigger than the wheels!
I had a similar problem when using it to clean the components of a carburettor once - the o rings swelled up and had to be replaced.

I generally use methylated spirits (wood alcohol I believe) to clean both mechanisms and motors including the brushes and have not had any problems. It evaporates completely away afterwards leaving the parts clean and ready for oiling in the usual way.

WD40 is an excellent product but please be careful where you use it.

Paul

Hello!

Better? material may be CRC´s Brake Cleaner, or Brakleen. Works well with mechanical purges. It is to take care of ventilation, respiratory protection.

Sincerely/Terve vaan!
ealab

I've used WD40 for cleaning up gunk & hardened oil in gears with great results, of course after removing the motor parts.

Had a very hard case of gunked/hardened oil with a certain loco some year(s) ago, even had to tap the wheels/axles many times to get them loose..
Patience was of virtue here, but the WD40 did its job as a cleaner. Have never used brake fluid, so I don't know how good that is...
I was quite happy with the result, and I hope it still runs well with the forum member who now has it - somewhere in Aussie land...

Hello!

The brake fluid could only paint removal! Said CRC´s are effective spray cleaning solvents. The locomotive slower rotating metal axles, cogs. Now to test the car´s steering gear grease. It is a very supple, smooth and good pressure resistance. "The bearings and teeth seem to thank" :)!

A friend of mine here uses WD40 for cleaning up old M Track, leaves it soaking for a week or so.Uses a soft brass brush to scrub them
Then flushes them with White Spirits, (raw petrol used in old lanterns and pressurised camping stoves, but also by many engine builders as a cleaner !)
This process has resulted in many thousands of dollars worth sold on local, NZ,trademe, and he presented our Marklin Club with over $1000.00 for sales of our old M Track, sold in the last year, at our recent AGM, so it does work as a gunk cleaner.
I've seen adds here, saying WD40 was invented by NASA to stop their old rocket parts from rusting

For those interested in brake fluid, please note it will remove paint. Brake parts cleaner is a bit safer, but still very abrasive.

-Brandon