Large Scale Central

Great track cleaner/conductor!

Reviews
#1

I used that Aero-Car track & rail cleaner fluid ACT-6006 I got from Kidman’s at Marty’s, on my track. I put it on after a good track cleaning with my pad. Had not run any trains for about 2-3 weeks since then and we had like 2-3" of rain in that time and 5" of snow. Ron brought over a track power loco yesterday, little Bachman porter and it ran like a top and never stuttered a bit, only two axles, so not much spread of pickups there! I had not re-cleaned the track or anything.

Seems to work pretty neat and the track felt smooth, did not get any black gunk on my hands, running over it. I guess that it does put down a good conductive film, like it said. I’m impressed!

Aero-Car Hobby Lubricants
P.O. Box 336
Western Springs, IL 60558
708-246-9027
www.aerocarlubricants.com

Nah, I have nothing to do with them, had never heard of them till I got this from Kidman’s. It was less than $10 for a 8oz bottle. I put some on a rag and ran it around the track, used about 1/4" out of the bottle for my 135’ of track. Used it cleaning some wheels also.

#2

Jerry how is the product holding up?
Any updates?
Sean

#3

Sean,
It seems to work fine. I ran my live steamer the other day, so wiped it down again after that. Seems I can just run trains when I want and not bother cleaning track.

#4

Jerry is this still working for you? Is Kidman still carrying it? Later RJD

#5

I did not find it to keep working okay, but I did let it freeze out in my shed, so that may have had some effect. Pretty much all battery/live steam power anymore. Seemed to work fine till I let it freeze up, not sure if that was the cause or not.

#6

Thanks for the info Jerry. Will by pass. Later RJD

#7

I’ve followed and tested various fluids applied to rails to prevent oxidation. There are 2 components in this, although not all fluids used have both components.

Most have a light solvent that evaporates away. All leave a film of something. This is the key. The film keeps oxygen away from the surface of the rail and inhibits (to a degree) oxidation, which affects electrical conductivity.

Some fluids have some ingredient that also works against oxidation, like what you can find in those liquid brass/silver cleaners. This seems to be the biggest variable between them.

The mere mechanical application of the product helps remove oxidation to a degree also.

My personal experience is that anything that leaves something behind, eventually gums up, attracts contaminants, and creates a buildup somewhere.

Since I have stainless steel now, my only cleaning to increase conductivity is actually just getting the rails clean, more degreasing than anything else. I use a wet swiffer, and it works great.

If I had brass rail, I might try some of these fluids, and replace/re-apply them, but I think I would just use a light abrasive rubber block or a scotchbrite, AND use something to degrease the rails after that.

Regards, Greg