danbyization Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Hi AllSo I have a locomotive which has recently been getting to the stage of stopping/starting while going around my track and sometimes needing a push to get it going.Im guessing that it's because I need to give the locomotive a clean which I guess is no surprise as I have had it for many years but I've never done this before so I don't know what I need but or how to do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Hi danby, I would start off with giving the track a good clean, do you have a track cleaning rubber ? hornby and peco do them . if not the reverse side of a piece of hardboard ( the fibre side ). give them a good polish up. do not use anything abrasive . once done you will, I hope find an improvement. for the loco wheels I use " Track Magic" applied with a cotton bud (sparingly) to the wheel rim and the inside (rear) face of the wheel flange. No doubt others will suggest other cleaning agents, and they will also do the job. your loco would also benefit with lubrication, I use " Singer" sewing machine oil , again you can buy loco lubricating oil from your dealer or on ebay ( model rail). Use Very Very Sparingly, let us know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Isopropyl alcohol IPA is what you want. Cleans without leaving a residue and doesn't damage metal and plastic. eBay is a good source. Make sure it is pure. Cleans track as well.Here is an example. Others are available http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHL-1-Litre-1000ml-Isopropanol-Isopropyl-Alcohol-99-9-IPA-CHILD-PROOF-CAP-/370553401624?hash=item5646b43118:g:IgsAAOSwyjBW20gP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 WTD , I knew it had a name like that, but it's awfully big name for a Scot. The alcohol bit we would manage though, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyization Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 Is this what you are referring to?https://www.amazon.co.uk/DLXAC013-Track-deluxe-materials-tracks/dp/B00AMB6VZU#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1477237599358 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Thats it Danby. A very little on the cotton bud for wheels , and you get the cleaner head for the track in the kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Dan, follow the link in the post made by 'Walkingthedog' for Isopropyl Alcohol. His link is for 1 litre of fluid at less cost than the measly 118 grams of the Deluxe Materials product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythegrass Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Thanks WTD for that referral to Isopropyl, I will buy some. I have a few smoke locos which leave an oily black residue on the track which until now I've cleaned by wiping over with white spirit in the hope I'm not harming the track.Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81F Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Is IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) is not to be confused with the IPA (India Pale Ale) I get in my local pub!But joking aside is Isopropyl alcohol age restricted since I wonder if all members on this forum are over 18.RegardsSteve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 I use methylated spirits (meths or metho). Almost as good as IPA but much cheaper and easier to get locally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 I use IPA but I use some that comes in a spray can. I just spray a small amount into the lid and use it from there with a Cotton Bud. Any left over in the lid evaporates quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyization Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 You said about lubricating would something like this be ok for it?https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaugemaster-GM-GM619-Recession-Lubricator-Applicator/dp/B00D3KVAX0With regards to cleaning the wheels with that track magic stuff and lubricating the locomotive with the above. How exactly do I do this? Where do I need to put the stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Dan, if you have'nt already ordered the track cleaner , I suggest you follow onto WTD's link ,at that price it's a better buy. I am going with it. I use a piece of quite firm foam, I think a piece of lint free cloth would do just as well. lightly moisten with IPA cleaner and rub onto rails and obtain a nice shine. As to lubrication , if you have the service sheet that came with the loco, it will show you where to apply. tiniest drop to wheel bearings, motion linkage pivot points & motor bearings. Chrisaff posted a link on a reply to another query, a couple of days ago, as to finding service sheets for loco's ( Hornby). Lube points are basicaly the same for most loco's. yes to your question ( if it comes with the oil) above.PS : Dan: You might consider putting in details of your operating setup. It helps the big boys to help you out if they know what you are running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyization Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 I have 3 locomotive the Caledonian Local, the rover and a hogwarts expres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Good loco's Dan. what system are you using ? I'm assuming dc. but it's possible you are using dcc. what controller? I' ve just looked into your previous posts. dc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyization Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 Yes I am using DC currently but am looking to upgrade to DCC after getting my locomotives all cleaned up and in good working order but still trying to work out how best to upgrade to DCC without loosing my current locomotives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyization Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 So where do I need to put the lube on my locomotives and do I need put that stuff on the wheels as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Dan, go onto YouTube and put a search in lubricating model train or service model loco and it will throw up really good short videos of servicing your locos, and far better than I can do on here. Use the Menu at top of home page , go to help and advice, service sheets . using the Hornby R number for your loco, search for that particular service sheet. Remember : only a very tiny drop of oil. Too much is only asking for a mess and trouble. also on youtube you will see videos of wheel cleaning techniques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo1707820979 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Also when using IPA (not the beer) keep the room well ventilated. The fumes, I am pretty sure, are slightly toxic, hence the warning symbol on the container. In my case a can, from Maplins.Don't let this put you off at all. Not a forecast of doom. I've been using IPA for 18 months now but always promptly replace the cap on the small bottle I decant it into from the larger, less convenient,can which I keep outside in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 You only use the tiniest amount and I can assure you that, unless you are washing your feet in it, there are no toxic fumes and a well ventilated room is not required. The only fumes are a very minute smell of alcohol if you put a soaked cotton bud up your nose. So don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 The only fumes are a very minute smell of alcohol if you put a soaked cotton bud up your nose. So don't. WTD, did you actually try that. I,m surprised at you. Good advice though, I bet that could burn your lungs if you got a bang of it. I worked in a factory that made chipboard and mdf. The mdf has formaldahide in it , and if you passed through into press / forming line and got a kick with that you never cosidered repeating it. They actually had to make it a no-go area, but that was after many years with free access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Cotton bud is still there. Overdid it a bit. 😆 IPA is not toxic but is inflammable. Don't drink it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFTK Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I can recommend the use of sewing machine oil for lubrication , works out cheaper than other products too .Last bottle I bought was 6 years ago , maybe more and I have over 30 locos to oil , I do them once a year and the 100ml bottle I paid a couple of quid for will last me another few years yet before I need to buy another bottle.Also works well on sticky faders on audio mixing desks too ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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