Another thread reminded me of this. How does one go about cleaning G Scale locomotive wheels? And/or lighted car wheels? I've got a set of GP40's that could benefit from wheel cleaning! But, Mine are QSI/Airwire equipped. So, trying to operate, and clean wheels at the same time could be problematic. I think! Not quite sure how to proceed, short of having 4 people and a small dog to help! Information appreciated. Thanks.
You mentioned that you are using an AIRWIRE receiver, are you running on batteries or old-timey track power? I run with onboard batteries and r/c and never clean wheels or track. You might try this (for track power), hook up alligator clips/jumper wires to the rails, then if you have track sliders on the loco, hook them up there...give her some juice and clean with a Brite Boy pad or similar. If no track sliders, then you may have to try holding the jumpers to one axle at a time and hold the Brite Boy with the other hand. Frankly, since you have the AIRWIRE, I would have batteries in the loco or trailer car...you will never clean wheels or track again. Same goes for the lighted cars-batteries. Woodie
Battery is just not the way to run. IMO. I run track power. And no, locomotives do not have sliders. Will eventually figure something out.
If you are trying to clean wheels due to dirt build up, I recommend a Q-tip and smoke fluid first to clean the dirt build up. If it's really heavy then you will have to use a harsher solvent, I never clean wheels with a scotch brite pad as this would leave scratches on the wheels themselves and over time they will not pick up electricity as well for track power.
Though about using a brass, or nylon brush with my Dremel. Wheels are dirty, but they are not extremely bad. My problem is, I ran the GP's before I had cleaned my track! So, they picked up whatever "stuff" was on the track. My own @#$% fault! But, what makes it interesting, is the last time I ran the K, I set it up, and ran! Aside from a minor problem, it ran perfectly for almost 90 minutes before I got my track cleaner out. Have friends coming up today. So, I'm betting I HAVE to have something up and running! And I'm gonna lay a good bet that the K gets the call! Since Alan is a NG junkie! Trying to work something out to have several NG cars scratch built for me, by Alans' Dad. If anything, to give him something to do over the winter. Anyway.....Still have my track cleaning unit to install one of these days.
keith i never cleaned my track except for wiping off small branches. and i never had to clean the wheels of my locomotives. usually plastic wheels in cars leave some grimmy residue on the track which is picked up by the loco wheels. replacing all plastic wheels with steel ones really does wonders ! one or two laps around and your track and wheels are shiny again. cleaning with a brass brush should work and not damage the wheel surface too much.
All cars, but one NG boxcar are steel wheels. And maybe half dozen still need KD's but that's about it. Gotta sweep, or gently remove tree leaves that have fallen and covered my track! Otherwise, I don't have too much cleaning to do, before running. Will try brush on wheels over the next 3 days. Busy day today. And I'm gonna crash as soon as events are through! Still going since 8:30PM last night! All information so far much appreciated.
