Model trains

Cleaning your Trains

How do you clean your track?

Either 91% Isopropanol or Goo Gone followed by 50-70% Isopropanol. The Goo Gone works better, but the extra step required to remove the residue means that I rarely use it.

What's your best trick for cleaning/shining your plastic cars

As a general rule, most modern production cars, beyond 1970 can be cleaned with; Warm, soapy water and an old, soft toothbrush followed by Pledge. Works every time for me. For older postwar cars, I'd consult a postwar info source first and clean carefully. The cheaper heat stamped cars and decaled items do definely warrant some caution. I have found the Lemon Pledge works good for older postwar cars.

Always be careful with lettering. As mentioned above, the soft toothbrush works well for cast in details and roof walks on box cars, but don't scrub lettering too hard. Remember, Lionel was cost-cutting by the mid-1950's and utilizing water based or cheaper paints was one area to save money. I have on occasion had lettering start to come off on a cheaper post war box car, like the 9-inch off-white shorty Frisco box car... no big deal to me because I'm not opposed to repaints. But it's also very nice to NOT do a repaint if you weren't planning on it and if the car wasn't a beater or junker to start with.

What is the best way to clean my trains wheels?

Dirty train tires require a train to work much harder to move. If you are cleaning the black gunk use a exacto knife (if you are under the age of 13, ask your parents to help you with this.) If your axel is actually dirty, take the wheelset out and wipe it off, then apply some oil to the bearing. Lionel recommends that you use a clean rag and rubbing alcohol
(isopropyl alcohol) to clean moving parts such as wheels, armature
commutators, etc. It is important to realize that old post-war trains will never roll as smoothly as modern trains, even with the best lubrication and cleaning.

How do I wash/clean/polish ALUMINUM passenger cars?

With aluminum use a very gentle car wash and soap. After allowing them to dry, you can use DURO, Wenol or Flitz Aluminum Polish very gently. Finish them off with FLOQUIL Crystal Cote to protect the trains from non-yellowing.