Paul responded to the previous to posts with this! It’s genius.
“While this appears to be a panacea to wheel cleaning it also scratches the wheels and that leads to future build up of more gunk. Using a Q-tip with isoproply alcohol is best.”
Nice one Paul!
😳 Not so fast gents and hopefully, a gal or two.
Yes, Trix will clean the wheels, but if you have traction wheels, don’t take your loco withing shouting
distance. I tears them apart. Scratching the wheels, well, running locos on less than perfect track will cause worse issues. Don’t use Trix too often.
I use a 1 1/2″ wide piece of firstaid wrap, cotton weave. Put it across the tracks and add a few drops of isopropul alcohol to each side where the cloth covers the track. Run your locomotive up unto it leaving the other traction motors on the bare track. Holding the locomotive, power the traction motors and let slide slightly forward and pull back while the solution cleans the wheel. NO damage done and no residue left. Works great.
one way i have found to clean wheels on engines and cars, is to lay a relatively small strip of paper towel accross the track and wet with rubbing alcohol (needs to be wide enough for a complete revolution of largest wheel), then about a foot away, lay a dry piece, the track in between will get quite dirty so keep an eye on it. this works with HO and up, don’t know about N. Do this where you are pulling, not pushing and you should have no problems as the engine(s) will create a flangeway