When I last did any railway modelling back in the 70's, I had a gadget that looked like a cross between a toothbrush and a wire brush that connected to the controller and was used to clean loco wheels. Does anyone know if these are still available?
Yes, Peco sell them. Not quite a toothbrush, but a brass wire brush all the same. Google "Peco wheel cleaner" or "Peco PL 40" for retailers.
Minitrix also make a good one which consists of a block that sits on the track. The block has a pair of 'N gauge" groves in the base with metal contacts that transfer the current to a pair of brass brushes, also N gauge, on the top. You just put the block on the track, turn up the controller and hold the loco on the top with the wheels on the brushes. the wheels spin and get cleaned by the bristles.
I use that same Minitrix brush doodah and it's great.
I have found it easier to clean the loco wheels with a pair of single strand bell wires connected to the controller set to about three quarter power.
I have a foam cradle to sit the locos in and with the loco upside down you can see the progress of the cleaning as you do it.
For very bad wheels (years of non cleaning) I use a small screwdriver when the wheels are turning and even some fine wet and dry or a track rubber. But you have to be careful with the small pieces that come off some types of track rubber.
Another advantage of this method is that it will show up any non working pickup contacts on the loco and as there is virtually no load on the motor it also has the effect of cleaning the comutator and brush surfaces in the motor and after a couple of minutes the loco will have increased in speed somewhat.
I do have both an Egger-Bahn and Minitrix wheel cleaning brush type devices that sit on a section of straight track, but they see little use.
Brian Meldon
I use Servisol 60 http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr1662.html (http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr1662.html) and a graphite pencil on both loco wheels and track.
Simon.
Does the Servisol effect paint (either acrylics or enamels) or adhesives like Super-glue or epoxy?
Brian Meldon
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009.cd2.com%2Fimages53%2F34m.jpg&hash=2e8374e750197665fb569cd4c299186b4cffb8d4)
I build in two Peco brushes. This works great
Sorry for the delay in replying Brian :-[ I've had no problems using servisol with any of my models. In fact I have used it to remove greasy marks / finger prints etc.
Simon.
Thanks Simon, I will be trying this product now.
Brian Meldon
Re the Minitrix brush doodah , I have had nothing but bother with it , it's obviously the power supply , i've tried cleaning the bottom strips that are in contact with the rails and pressing down on the rails ,have given it up has a bad job . Returned to Peco with their 'brush and scaper gizmo' , some techo talk goes on in this forum ::) ::). I wonder how much money we spend on gadgets we never use again ?? :(