I’ve only just recently been able to fully assess the extent of our flood damage two weeks ago here in the wet and western UK.
The main area of trackbed was under 12 inches of very muddy brown water for the second time in as many years (“Flood of the Century” - Ha, Ha), so I have reluctantly decided to relay the trackwork in this area, moving the switches to somewhere less vulnerable. So last weekend I lifted all the trackwork to check the damage.
Our Aristo brass track is all OK once hosed down. But our Aristo Wye, No. 6 and Wide Radius switches are well and truly gunged up with fine sandy silt.
So my question is this - What’s the best way to clean switch mechanisms - wet or dry?
I’ve never been inside the switch mechanism box, presumably some horrors await! When I’m all done should I oil or grease and if so, where?
We’re all on-board battery and live steam, so I’m not worried about electrical contacts, just the mechanical reliability.
Any help would be welcomed - Many Thanks in advance.
Mike