Stop Cleaning Your Track on Your Model Railroad

In this video I'm going to tell you why and how to stop cleaning your track on your model railroad layout. There has been much debate and many videos aboout track cleaning and what to use to clean track. I am going to show you a way to clean and treat your track what will virtually eliminate the need for repeated, intensive cleaning.

17331 E US Highway 40, Suite 107
Independence, MO 64055
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Video Contents:
0:00 Introduction
2:05 The Problem of Track Cleaning
3:06 The Problem of Abrasive Cleaners
3:50 The Problem of Track Oxidation
5:00 The Problem of Micro Arching
6:23 The Goal: Good Electrical Conductivity
7:29 Evaluating Cleaning Products
8:23 The Problem of Polar Cleaners
9:38 Isopropyl Alcohol as a Cleaner
10:30 Non-Polar Cleaners
11:42 Mineral Spirits as a Cleaner
12:29 NO-OX-ID as a Protectant
13:36 How to Use NO-OX-ID
16:58 How to Clean Track After Using NO-OX-ID
17:28 Traction Tires
17:59 For Further Information

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If you like what you see give it a "like" 👍, subscribe 🔔, comment 💬 below, and share it on your social media and model railroad forums.

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Credits:
🤘 Theme Song: "Extremes" by the Lemming Shepherds
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Equipment:

🔷 MX-2000 tripod

[genejordan]

I know a guy that has the best tracks ever. He dealt with this problem back in the 70s. He took an old gold ring and rubbed the rails. Goes exactly what you are talking about. I thought he was crazy but now it makes sense. You can’t see gold on the rail but it does put a microscopic layer. Gold never oxidizes. Gold is the highest electrical conductor. I’m going to order that no-ox. Great video Ron

[davidbegg]

This WORKS. I tried it on a section of my track and the difference is amazing. Locos now go so smoothly and also slowly if required. I am extremely happy, how long it will last is yet to be determined, but even if i have do the procedure once a month, so what, the improvement in running is so great. Thank you so much.

[MojaveModelRailroad]

Seriously, this has to be the biggest tip of the year for model railroading maintenance. Thank you so much for sharing Ron.

[tommartino]

Participated in an annual Toy Train Expo last weekend. Roughly 11 hours of continually running 3 N trains over 2 days. Done this many years and normally at the end of each day headlights are flickering and intermittent running. Had to use the bright boy each day to keep them running. Tried this technique this year and the entire weekend everything ran flawlessly! I totally advocate this method.

[michaelmappin]

I had a small N gauge set as a 9 year old boy. When my dad passed away 2 years ago, I ended up with it after not seeing it for 45 years. It didn't work, so I ended up getting rid of it. I now realize it was probably just dirty track. I decided to buy an HO set last Christmas. I was so happy to see it running around the tree. Set it up this year, and the locomotive is running jerky around with starts and stops everywhere. Now I found this video. I just ordered the no ox id.

[colintaylor]

Hi Ron
I am from uk with a n gauge layout in a very dusty/dirty garage. I have (had) to clean tracks between every running session, albeit sometimes only a quick “rub” on dirty/stopping areas if after only a few days.
Used your cleaning regime 3 weeks ago (after waiting weeks for products to arrive from Amazon USA) —- ran trains again tonight, NO issues at all, perfect running — absolutely unbelievable!
Thank you so much Ron
Can’t believe some of the negative comments you get to this video - please totally ignore them — again thank you so much for your shared advice.
Colin

[bsalightning]

Been following the whole track thing for some time, and personally, I am an old Lionel guy, so track cleaning happens regularly. Have tried all kinds of stuff like everyone, but a while back started using automotive surface prep. (the stuff comes in a gallon can and used for cleaning bare metal before painting). I have had good results with it, and will stay nice for a long time span. I have my layout suspended from the ceiling above my work shop and use a old school track cleaning car, fill it up and run it. A good tip from a friend!

[StephenCarlBaldwin]

I concur with those who suggest that this be nominated as "Tip of the Year." I did what Ron suggested and slow-speed performance improved immediately on my N layout. Thank you, Ron!

[flyinaroundstl]

I admit, I was skeptical at first. I've always been a Brightboy user on my track and never really tried any other chemical/solvent cleaners. But after getting increasingly frustrated at how poorly even my brand new locomotives were running, I decided to give this technique a try. In just an hour of cleaning my mainline track, the locomotives that I'd relegated to a sidetrack for "permanent storage" because they ran so poorly are now running more smoothly than any locomotive I've ever run anywhere. It's truly been a game-changer for me and my layout! Thank you

[rvnmedic]

I had a couple of track sections on my new layout whereby the engine stopped and stuttered. I checked the voltage before and after the section and it right on 15v. Looking at the track, it appeared cleaned. So I saw your vid, Ron, and ordered both products from Amazon. After receiving them, I got to work applying and rubbing them as directed. AND, the engine is now happy with those two sections! Amazing that the track looked good but failed until really cleaning them. Thanks for a very helpful vid. Cheers, Bob

[vincentpe]

Something I learnd with slot cars. Get a large pencil eraser and rub it against the track and vacuum the dust. Done. No chemicals or abrasive.

[Osprey]

I did exactly what Ron suggested (cleaned the track with mineral spirits and applied No-Ox that I bought from Amazon) and our trains went from barely being able to get moving and go around turns to now running as fast as I've ever seen them run.

For the record, we have a Marx #999 set from the 1940s. They're not tiny trains and tracks like in this video, but foot-long cars on 2in-wide, 3-rail tracks. They're very similar to early Lionel train sets. I mention it just so that others know that Ron's guide works on train sets as large and as old as that, too.

Thanks so much, Ron! The trains that my mom played with as a kid in the 1950s and I played with as a kid in the 1980s now run like we both remember them, despite being 75 years old and never having been cleaned in all that time!

[garyrunnalls]

I was ready to set fire to my n scale railroad. You saved me from blowing up my set. This technique worked Thank you so much.

[stevehughes]

I am a Contractor, so I have lots of mineral spirits around for use on Jobs and have used it with Train Sets for years. I also have been buying for work these Foam sanding blocks. I use the 400 grit Blocks for tracks without any negative problems for about 10 years. I rub the 400 grit block around the track then follow up with the Vac, and then wipe down with a damp cloth of mineral spirits about twice a year. I have never heard of the stuff at the end of the video, but may get some and try it. Thanks for the video.

[DaventryParkway]

Hello Ron from Thailand. It’s brutal here! My train shed is almost on the beach, 32 degrees and 100% humidity every day so I’m cleaning a lot and under wires so it’s a right pain! Going to give this a try, or at least something similar I found online tonight. Cheers for the tip. 👍

[miketate]

I have found the product on Amazon and have ordered a small amount. This video is amazing! I have learned so much! Thank you. Am going to try this as soon as the product arrives. Thanks, Ron. Mike from near Toronto.

[cabincreek]

I did what Ron suggested just after this video was made. I haven't had to clean my track since. Thank you Ron.

[michaelbroshears]

Many thanks. I’ve known about this product for a few years but never purchased it. When I first saw this video I ordered a tub. I finally started deep cleaning and lightly applying this No-Ox. Wow Wow Wow!!!! After not running the main for a year It’s running great. Basically you alone spurred me into doing something. I highly recommend it. I built this as a switching layout with many many feet of track but figured I would never have successive op sessions. I’m feeling much better now. With a renewed motivation I hope to get the whole layout running smoothly. Didn’t mean to ramble on but thanks again!

[johnkelley]

Just stumbled on your channel and I've built woodland scenics n scale ridge with Broadway limited Paragon 3 sound and subwoofer and always shorted out. With this new method I can go all around the track at 2 steps!! Thank you so much for the no ox I'd method I quit running my trains but now I'm getting new locos for the fun!! Thank you again!!!!

[jamesbach]

I've been using IPA for years and it seemed to work okay. After watching this video I carefully cleaned the track with mineral spirits and then applied the grease. What a difference. Especially in the yard. My 060 and the little diesel switchers don't hesitate at all. I can also see a big difference in performance in the main lines. I initially had a traction issue on the grades. A little too much grease. So I ran locomotives pulling John Allen style track cleaning cars on the layout for a couple hours. I would stop them every ten minutes or so and sand the grease off the Masonite pad . That resolved the problem.
This is a must see video for anyone with a layout. Great work Ron! Thank you!