Cleaning old 12v track

[Legogold]

Hi, my name is Nick and this is my first post here. I have recently found an old 12v train set of mine in the loft (set 7745) the set works ok, once the perished rubber rims were replaced. However, the metal track and metal engine track contacts would benefit from some cleaning as the train is a little stop start. Does anyone have any tips on the best way to do this? Thanks.

[patje]

hello

I'm cleaning my 12 volt rails

as well as the contact points of the motors

with medical alcohol and cotton wool

both can be found in pharmacies.

you would be surprised how much dirt there is pampered

and the engines can not be destroy of the humidity

because everything evaporates quickly

Edited November 29, 2014 by patje

[Legogold]

Thank you. I will try that today and let you know how it goes.

[nimrod6134]

EDIT:

Misread title, I posted a suggestion for cleaning 9v rails. I do not have experience with 12v rails. My apologies (I am not seeing a way to delete posts)

Edited November 29, 2014 by nimrod6134

[Heppeng]

I would expect the principle to be the same.

[detjensrobert]

9v rails (from what I've heard) are supposed to be self-cleaning.

[Andy Glascott]

Cleaning 12v rails is indeed the same. I used methylated spirits in the UK, and now use isopropyl alcohol here in the US, both work absolutely fine. It's a recurring job though, needs to be done every so often (depending on how much you run the trains).

The stop/start is not unusual with 12 stuff if you haven't used it for a while, I aim to run mine for a few minutes every 3 to 4 days at least just to keep them loose so to speak.

[jtlan]

9v rails (from what I've heard) are supposed to be self-cleaning.

Unlikely, in my experience, although I suppose the dirt will gradually clear up if you run trains on it for a while. I've typically found that polishing with very mild abrasives tends to work better than chemical methods; you might try using toothpaste and a rag / paper towel, or perhaps some metal polish.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

For the rails I use a copper cleaner called "Sidol" is better than alcohol if you have rust. To complete the cleaning work I use alcohol to remove Sidol.

[Gioppa]

Hahahahahaha il POLISH... what you take out...is an italian product to renew the car paint....very old...

[PeteM]

White spirit and and soft cloth works for me on dirty rails and, though I'm always slightly concerned what effect it's having on the plastic, it doesn't seem to do any damage that I can see.

I have a few rusty rails from an eBay lot that this fails to shift, so I might try LT12v's method above on those - thanks!

[Heppeng]

The lego 12v rails are plated steel, which means if they are rusty then the plating has worn off/come away. You won't be able to restore the shine completely on these, but having said that I have a few rails in this condition that the trains run over happily enough. I do find the rubbing action of the pick ups on the motors does have a self cleaning effect, If I have not used the trains for a while they will stutter and stall a lot from whatever has fallen/built up on the rails. However if I 'assist' the trains around after a circuit or two they can usually continue unaided, and two or three circuits after that they are running smoothly - presumably the pick ups by then have wiped all the crap off.. It would probably make quite a difference if I was not stubborn and cleaned the tracks prior to every running session!

[Legogold]

Thanks for all your replies on this. I finally found the last page that had ripped off the instruction manual and it recommended using an ink eraser to remove large deposits followed by some methylated spirit. This worked a treat. Also as Andy Glascott said after running round (with a few pushes!) the train now runs really smoothly.

[horizon]

In the booklet of the 7740 it is mentioned that alcohol should be used to clean the metal.

Not beer with alcohol but the pure alcohol ofcourse. ;)

[Redimus]

Would a standard model railway track rubber not be more than sufficient to clean 12v (and 9v) rails?

As for 9v being self cleaning, not sure about that, but I have noticed that the rails don't exactly get dirty from normal running or prolonged storage (perhaps because of the larger contact area the side of the wheel to side of the rail allows, meaning less sparking which is what dirties the rails in N scale and OO/HO scale layouts).

[Heppeng]

The problem with abrasive track rubbers is that they can damage the plating and cause rusting, maybe OK to use once or twice for really stubborn dirt, but not regularly if possible.

[Redimus]

Ahh, fair point.

[paul_delahaye]

I'm sure the original instructions recommended an Ink Eraser (Rubber) or Methalated Spirits, lol, both hard to obtain now days and I doubt any are great for children

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Rubbing alcohol and Goo Gone are also good for cleaning model train rails. You might also want to check out PECO's Track Magic cleaner.