Track crumbling!

[Bulver]

i wonder if anyone else has found that certain track cleaning products have caused failure of the plastic webbing, notably on Peco track.  I used such a product, following the instructions, and discovered a week or so later, pieces of plastic around the track.  Surprisingly, it only seemed to affect Peco and a generic, Italian made, track.  Hornby Dublo and Hornby track seem unaffected by this.  The affected track is only around 5 years old, and stored in a cool, dry condition, whereas the HD track is around ten times that age!

think I will have to reconsider my track purchases, perhaps Hornby or Bachmann are the most stable, when a liquid cleaner is used.

[walkingthedog]

Never had any problem like that. What are you using?

 

I've used just about everything on my track.  Are you sure it's the cleaner?

[Chrissaf]

A friend of mine has all Peco track and been using the same chemical cleaner (GooGone) for over two years now without issue.

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It is difficult for users here to comment unless you tell us the cleaning product you have been using.

[walkingthedog]

I thought Peco track was pretty well indestructible. It's used on garden railway and stands up to just about everything. Have you ballasted or painted the track or use a different type of underlay? 

[Buz]

 Hi Bulver

What on earth are you useing obviously not one of the more normaly used cleaners..

I have used a variety of "TRACK" cleaners on peco track over the last 30 or so years with out problem.

What ever it is don't use it on other brands of track it may take a little longer but it will do the same to them

The plastics used by the different manufacturers for making track are similar and in some cases exactly the same as they come from the same factory.

The best cleaner I have found is good old metholated spirits one track cleaner pad wet the second track cleaner pad dry using two good old Triang track cleaning cars.

regards John

[Bulver]

The product is called 'Track Magic', made by 'DeLuxe', saw it reviewed in one of the mags, so thought I'd give it a go. Can't see what else would have caused the plastic to fall apart, that is the only thing I have used to clean the track.  Track is stored in its original packaging in a cupboard, so no sunlight etc. to affect it.  Temperature in there is average (I.e. below 65f)

the track is loose-lay, not affixed to anything, laid on a table protector, with no underlay, so no paint etc. to cause weakness.

as previously said, this stuff hasn't affected my HD, Hornby, Bachmann or Tillig track.  the instns warn you not to drench the track, and supply a spong applicator, which is what I have used.

i just thought that it is an issue which was worth checking to see if anybody else has experienced this.

[Bulver]

duplicate post 

[mallone]

I use IPA ( iso-propyl alcohol) and have never experienced any problem. I also use it on pipe cleaners to clean my points.

[walkingthedog]

I have all peco track and use track magic among other things. I apply it sparingly with a lint free cloth just cleaning the top of the rails. No problems. I've had a bottle for ages, doesn't seem to go down. 

[Buz]

 Hi Bulver

Just a thought have you made Peco aware of the issuie.

I think they would want to know if a track cleaning product is destroying there brand of track.

It probably has something in it that the other brands of track cleaners don't have.

Its the only reason I can think of for such destruction.

I would have severe concerns about using it on other brands of track including Hornby having found out it has destroyed one brand of track.

regards John

[Huwsie]

Now strangely enough..... I used 'Track-Magic' and it absolutely destroyed the sponge applicator in seconds, but at the time others said they had not experienced the same.... This would have been about one year ago now I believe. I didn't find the product 'magic' to be honest, and so never replaced it when it was used. I will take a close look at the sections of track cleaned with this product and report back, but to my knowledge, there's no problem to date with track deteriorating..

[Bulver]

Well, not all of my Peco track is affected, but there does seem to be a range of opinions regarding this.    

perhaps I was just unlucky that some of the batch was faulty, or possibly that as I did use the sponge applicator, which is the width of the track, this caused the damage, rather than just wipe the tops of the tracks, as suggested by others.  Hopefully, the rest of the track pack will remain stable.  

[2e0dtoeric]

Perhaps 'track magic' is re-packaged WD40?  :-)

(Please tell the manufacturer not to bother sueing me, I only have an OAP income!)

[da4472vid]

 I ues Hornby Track and I have ended up replaceing the PW every 6 years but that is due to the top of the rails wearing out and same with rolling stock wheels going from round to looking like a 20p coin

 

[walkingthedog]

Good grief david what the hell do you with your trains? How can you wear track out. My first layout in this house ran for over 25 years then I reused the track on my next layout. 20p shaped wheels, why?

[da4472vid]

 I think I run them too fast I'v got a voltage read out on each loop and the main outa loop runs a 10-11 volts  lol

 

[walkingthedog]

No sorry, still dont understand why the wheels would go out of shape. 

[2e0dtoeric]

Wheels out of shape - melting the plastic centres by arcing, perhaps?

[walkingthedog]

Sounds like a very dodgy layout. Worn out wheels and track is not something you hear about very often. Normal wear and tear is one thing but regular renewal is not. 

[LCDR]

 I am still using 60 year old track, and steel rails at that!

[Teedoubleudee]

I understand that those electronic "track cleaners" can damage wheels and track surface as they employ a very high voltage that literally burns through the dirt.