I’m using O-27 track for a trolley on my Christmas layout and I haven’t taken it apart for 5 years. Actually I haven’t used it for that long either because of health problems and didn’t have the energy to set it up. Anyway, my trolley isn’t running well even after cleaning the track surface and I know it’s the pins need to be pulled apart and put back together. I’m just not ready for that and wonder if there is something I could use to penetrate the joints and clean them without removing the track.
What did you clean your track with? If you're looking for a product to simply apply to your track, I'm not aware of anything. I doubt a heat gun would help and you'd risk degrading the tie insulation. As you know, the pins are the devil to remove no matter what's tried. If you are willing to pull up the track, I'd start with a penetrating oil like PB Blaster (as seen below) and after letting it soak, try to turn the pin as you pull on it. I keep my O-27 track in a basement, but fortunately have never had as you describe.
Thank you Hardcoaler, I replaced all the pins 5 years ago and soldered wires to the track on each end near the bumpers and I had planed to solder each track pin, but fell sick and couldn't get around it, One of my problems with pulling up the track is the soldered connections on each side. I can't climb underneath any more and I've been pulling my hair out trying to explain to my wife how to do it. I think I do have a can of that PB Blaster around here some place and I forgot all about that stuff. Thanks again.
Would it be possible to start anew with another oval of track? That would sidestep the difficulty in attempting a repair on what you have. I'm sorry to read of your illness and hope you soon regain some of your mobility. I recently rebuilt my Lionel No. 60 Trolley with aftermarket parts found at a train show. It's not perfect in appearance, but it runs well and brings back some happy memories. Which trolley are you running?
It's actually an S shape in a village and i'm very limited for space, but I did price new track and I'm now thinking of removing it and thinking about soldering all the track together with a single drop wire at the end nearest the edge so I don't have to climb under. This is an old photo because I haven got it completed yet, but it shows you what I'm doing.
Try DeoxIT: https://caig.com/ Apply it at the gaps on each rail between every section of track. Also, apply some to the electrical contacts on the trolley. Directory of local dealers selling DeoxIT: https://caig.com/working-disti-section/?cn-s=&cn-cat=10
