Hi,

I've recently acquired and old pre-build k-track layout from a second hand store. This layout consist of K-tracks and my main problem at the moment are electrical. It seems that I'm not getting any power around the track. mostly on the center-connector. This might be caused by the fact that this layout has been buildt in the 70ies and been stored for several years.

When i use a multimeter to measure the voltage, or just to check for connection, I have to scratch the center line to get connection, so it seems I need to clean or polish/grind the tracks.

Any recommendations on how to do so, without destroying the tracks? One suggestion i've tried, are mildly soaped hot water, but it didn't seems to do the trick...


.thomas

Someone on this forum used a small piece of "Masonite" using the rough side of the timber composite to clean the stud's. Not sure if the Masonite was attached to a wagon or used freehand where it would need to be attached to another block so that it could be held when in use . I obtained a very old "M" track layout about 8 years ago & tried the method of Kimball's except I used Wet&Dry paper as used in automotive panel shops , used dry & found that it cleaned the studs well . In my experimental period [ read stupid ] I tried a Dremel wire brush tool but found that it also took of paint along with other damage to the body shell of the track . Good luck with what method you end up using 7 remember to clean up the resulting mess & apply some Trackmagic solution when finished cleaning . Trackmagic is a UK product & may be available in your local hobby shop , there are some other messages in this great forum regarding track cleaning, just use the search function above .

Cheers Tom in Oz

Hello Thomas,

It is indeed unfortunate that your track has degraded to this state !

However 1200 grit sandpaper or even a finer grade if you can find some, would be the most likely thing for the job of cleaning up the centre contacts. !
If you search this forum, there are a few threads about it, I just did a quick search but there is too much to wade thru to find the answer I was looking for. So I went to youtube and found this from list member "Schwipple" altho we haven't heard from him in a while



However your problem isn't dirt or oil, so being rust, I would substitute the microfiber cloth shown in the video for "Crocuss Cloth" which is an old abrasive cloth I remember my Father having, but I am not sure it is available anymore, these days ! So my suggestion is to glue or fasten somehow, the 1200 grit or finer sandpaper to the pick up shoe, or slider, of a small wagon as in the video, and by hand slowly run it over your tracks, maybe going back and forward a little bit over small sections of the track at a time ! Even put some of that Labelles 108 oil on the sandpaper if you have some

Rubbing the sandpaper on the studs with your fingers is too imprecise and your likely to be rubbing the rails as well which is a big no - no

Do not over do it as you will take too much material off the pukos !!.
This will leave your studs clean but liable to rust again at the slightest onset of moisture in the air, even heavy breathing with the excitement of your trains running on the layout will be enough
So to counteract this I would apply a slight smear of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to all the sliders of your loks and wagens and run them around the layout and that should leave a small enough coating on the studs to prevent the rusting again, and keep reapplying the petroleum jelly from time to time, but I am talking about just the finest smear with your finger !
I used to do this with my childhood M track layout to reduce wear on the sliders and never had any problem after long periods of disuse I also intend to use this on my new K Track layout I am building !!
If too much jelly builds up on the studs, but it shouldn't Go back to the video and repeat those steps exactly !
And just btw, I use a smear of Labelles 108 oil (as shown in the video) on all my sliders of my Loks after running on my current C Track "test layout" and before returning Loks to their boxes, I should probably apply it before as well, but it is recommended as a rail cleaner ! but as I said, I am intending to use Vaseline on the sliders for running on my K Track layout. Only a very fine smear is required, just the slightest trace is all it needs to protect the metal of the pukos or studs !
Best of luck with getting your layout running

I purchased a "SCHINEN_BOY" track cleaner on Epay a few years ago , a heavy monster made out of brass which could be towed behind a engine to clean tracks .. The previous owner had also made a modification to body to enable it to also clean Catenary . The part that did the track cleaning was free floating & all its weight was on the track , a piece of well used 2000 wet & dry was attached by screws to the base with a additional piece of copper strip in the centre to clean the pucko's . On paper you would think it would do a good & easy job on the tracks but it was very different in real life , the drag was quite high causing the pulling engine to have difficulty to move , the coupler kept being pulled out of its box on the bogie . I found it easier just to use the track cleaning block by hand before I ran trains , then I would use one of the "M" felt pad equipped wagons to lay a light coat of Track Magic on the newly clean surface . A few photos below .

Cheers Tom in Oz

I don't think a "track" cleaning wagon would do you. What you want to clean are the studs and the wagon would only clean the tracks. Having said that, perhaps cleaning the track itself would help a lot in letting the current flow.

I bought recently. one such wagon from Marklin for the tracks (46049), not the studs, and I got good results. I started doing this after one loco got junk on it from the tracks and was wobbling. Now it runs perfectly again.

I like getting the pads wet with rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl) before I run the wagon around the track. After I have run the wagon many times, I then clean the pads with a cloth wet with Isopropyl and run the wagon again. The wagon comes with two more sets of pads but you should not discard the first pair until it clearly is too dirty. I am still on my first pair. My local dealer says these pads last a very long time.

Again, this has to do with cleaning the tracks.

As for the studs, then I would use sand paper. I have never done it yet and it should really not be a problem in normal operation because the shoe itself normally cleans the studs. Your case may be different.

Incidentally, you can also clean the tracks manually with a lint-free cloth and Isopropyl. Obviously, before the track is laid down. Doing it manually afterward would be a big job, unless your layout is very small.

Below is a picture of the wagon I bought.

Hope this helps.

VERY nice layout!

I agree, they are the next-best thing to the Marklin factory-built ones, (or maybe that should be next best to a personally built-from-scratch layout?).

What I particularly like about many of the Noch layouts is the extension modules that you can add to many of them, including this one of Thomas'. Lots of opportunity to add to the play-value.

Steve

I don't think this is only light surface rust. i have to use a sharp object to scrape the center studs only to get a reading on my multimeter. I've even tried to run a DHG-700 loco on a small section that I removed from the layout, without luck. It doesn't even light up its headlight...

I think I've found a nice solution for how I can abrasion the studs gently without ruining them. I've acquired an old and beaten up 4503 Low Side Wagon. This is a heavy little piece, that I hope to make something like the wagon "Schwipple" made.



I might have to check out ebay and get one of those lovely 3021s ;) There is something about the look of a V200. ;) Too bad I only have digital equipment right now...



HEY! sometimes you have to prioritize! nowadays I prioritize work and money, so I can get even more Märklin ;)

.thomas

Here's one of the cleaning blocks I was on about:

http://www.hornby.com/uk...ack-cleaning-rubber.html

Other manufacturers offer them too, they're a lot milder than sandpaper so won't leave scratches (which will collect more dirt later on).

I've manage to make one train run on the layout! :D At least it moves;) Im currently rubbing down all the center-studs, and it is not only a boring task, it is also a time consuming job.

Pics and video will follow as soon as I have cleaned some more tracks ;)

.thomas