keeping trains running

[leon]

I recently read where one can wipe the tops of their tracks with a carbon stick to ensure good electrical contact. Now I am wondering if a carbon stick is the same or simular to a charcoal stick and if one could expect the same results with either of the sticks?

[FCIN]

I believe you're talking about the use of graphite sticks on rails to improve electrical contact. Never tried it myself, but there is very lengthy discussion about using it that can be found on the Model Railroad Hobbyist website here: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/17181. I suggest reading that thread to see what you think.

[MasonJar]

Graphite can conduct electricity, but is also very slippery. I once got Neolube (a graphite suspension lubricant) on the drivers of my steam engine, and it could barely pull anything. I'd advise against putting graphite on the track.

A number of people swear by Wahl clipper oil, when applied as a drop for many, many feet of track.

Personally, I've made do with the occasional bright-boy type eraser to clean the gunk off. The modular club I belong to uses these, and also mandates only metal wheels to reduce build up. Seems to work. My trains have no problems running on the club modules, and I don't have to clean my wheels.

Hope that helps.

Andrew

[Lester Perry]

I use nothing except running trains on my rails. I do occasionally use bright boy where there seems to be a problem. I have plastic and metal wheels. I do have trouble in some switches (turnouts) which are usually Atlas. Peco I have no trouble with. Locomotives which refuse to run used to be taken out of service & put into a desk drawer which is the same as the abyss. They now receive a TCS keep alive, it is like carrying a c.p.r. in the locomotive. I have a rather large layout with close to 500 cars and around 50 + locomotives. Oh yea, i at one time swore by Wahl clipper oil. but no longer need it. Why? I don't know.

[Sumpter250]

I've been using Aerocar Hobby Lubricants, ACT-6000 Track & Rail Cleaner, for a number of years now. I equipped several cars with a track cleaning pad ( just a small rectangle of Masonite, rough side down ) moisten that pad with several drops of the ACT-6000, and send the car out.
Operating on a modular layout, at shows, where the track can "get dirty" in a heartbeat, keeping the "pad" car on the train keeps the track clean as long as the train is running. It doesn't take more than a few drops of cleaner, each run, to keep the rails clean for the hour the train is out, running.