I recently bought a Kadee wheel cleaner (see <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page236.htm">http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page236.htm</a><!-- m -->) as a couple of my locos need frequent cleaning.

So far, it seems to be working well, but I still have to work hard at cleaning the track as well (using rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth). Just wondering what folks thought of these Kadee wheel cleaners & if there is anything that might work better. For example, Woodland Scenics has something that might be more thorough but is more expensive (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/TT4550/page/1">http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics. ... 550/page/1</a><!-- m -->).

It seems that these Kadee cleaners are good value and simple to use.

Thanks,

Hi Rob
I don't know who told me, but I just put a little drop of ATF on the track (both rails )and let the trains spread it around. It keeps the wheels and the track clean. you don't need much, and on my layout there is about 200 feet in the total loop. It sure improves electricle pick up.
Charlie

Since last week i am an owner of this device:


There are two brass profiles and the rolling stock settles with the tips of the flanges on them.
It can be simple powered up by this crocodile type clips with DC or DCC as you want. Just apply some drops of cleaning fluid to the hard felt stripes and power up.
Run the loco untill all the dirt and gunk is removed. You can either run the loco against the stops or hold them gently.


But the real reason why i bought this device is the ability to clean up the car wheels in a simple manner too.
Just move the cars forth and back with a little bit of gentle pressure.
As the cars are rolling on their flange tips there will be a certain amount of friction between wheel rim and felt. Thus rubbing the gunk away.


Here you can see the middle part with the brass profiles is sprung loaded an can be pushed down untill the wheel rims touch the felt.
I am satisfied to remove all the dirt and gunk in such a simple manner.

Lutz

Charlie B Wrote:Hi Rob
I don't know who told me, but I just put a little drop of ATF on the track (both rails )and let the trains spread it around. It keeps the wheels and the track clean. you don't need much, and on my layout there is about 200 feet in the total loop. It sure improves electricle pick up.
Charlie

Thanks, Charlie. Not sure what ATF is though -- is it like Wahl oil? as that has been recommended to me as a track & wheel cleaner too. You just have to run the locos until the oil & gunk is cleaned off the track.

Cheers, Rob

Schraddel Wrote:Since last week i am an owner of this device:

There are two brass profiles and the rolling stock settles with the tips of the flanges on them.
It can be simple powered up by this crocodile type clips with DC or DCC as you want. Just apply some drops of cleaning fluid to the hard felt stripes and power up.
Run the loco untill all the dirt and gunk is removed. You can either run the loco against the stops or hold them gently.

But the real reason why i bought this device is the ability to clean up the car wheels in a simple manner too.
Just move the cars forth and back with a little bit of gentle pressure.
As the cars are rolling on their flange tips there will be a certain amount of friction between wheel rim and felt. Thus rubbing the gunk away.

Here you can see the middle part with the brass profiles is sprung loaded an can be pushed down untill the wheel rims touch the felt.
I am satisfied to remove all the dirt and gunk in such a simple manner.
Lutz

Thanks, Lutz. This looks good & it sounds as if you are quite pleased with it. Cleaning the non-powered wheels, especially of rolling stock, would be another big advantage of this, as the dirt & gunk can really build up on them. Over here, this device costs about $35, so I suppose it's worth it.

It's strange that certain locos are either more prone to accumulating gunk or are more sensitive to dirty wheels & track than others. Some run very well on dirty track while others frequently stall.

Rob

Rob,
ATF is Automatic Transmission Fluid and there was a write up in MR awhile back.The article was quite interesting and the club where it was tested were very happy with the results.

As for the KaDee wheel cleaner I have two of them and they both earn their keep.

Catt Wrote:Rob,
ATF is Automatic Transmission Fluid and there was a write up in MR awhile back.The article was quite interesting and the club where it was tested were very happy with the results.

As for the KaDee wheel cleaner I have two of them and they both earn their keep.

Thanks -- this sounds familiar now. I think I either read about ATF or heard about it here. Rob

Repeat of a photo from the other week:
[attachment=11634]

My wheel cleaning. The towels have 3 coaches worth of gunk on them.
I use the Aero track cleaner and I like it. I'm now halfway down my bottle after about 10 years.

I've seem the Kadee and Hornby wheel brushes but never bought one. I usually just spin the loco wheels on a paper towel. And I like the CenterLine track cleaner.

BR60103 Wrote:Repeat of a photo from the other week:
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

My wheel cleaning. The towels have 3 coaches worth of gunk on them.
I use the Aero track cleaner and I like it. I'm now halfway down my bottle after about 10 years.

I've seem the Kadee and Hornby wheel brushes but never bought one. I usually just spin the loco wheels on a paper towel. And I like the CenterLine track cleaner.

Thanks, David. I've already done things like this, especially with my locos -- I run/spin their wheels on a paper towel to remove the gunk. It does work but seems time-consuming. I think a wheel cleaner -- such as the Kadee or Woodland Scenics ones -- would be faster & more efficient? I would probably keep using this (and similar) methods except that my Hornby Mallard (R2339) and 1-2 other locos, seem especially sensitive to dirt & picking up gunk, which is why I've started to consider other options.