5 Easy tips to maintain your model trains and rails...

 

Yes. Maintaining the rails and trains is a critical element in having a long-lasting unfilled experience with your hobby. It will help to run and operate your modern rails nicely and tidy. We lined up a few essential maintaining tips for your to take care of your rails and trains.

• Clean the rails and track

It is pretty much needed to keep your track cleaned. especially small debris, leftovers between rails might derail or stop your train. Give a close look at the rails. Get a small brush or cloth and clean small debris in the track which can make harm to the train. Especially if your track is on the floor or outside, it is required to have a check before you start the run. 

• Lubricate the engine and wheels

To ensure that your wheels are free-floated, it is required to put oil and grease on the wheel to reduce friction. From time to time this needed to be redone since with time the given lubrication treatment will disappear. Especially for the end of motor attachments, axels. Always check the material of your locomotive or engine. Use an oil which compatible with it. Even for any exposed engine parts, you can apply a recommended oil or grease. You may not need to do this in regular intervals, but at least once in 6 or 8 months, better practice it. 

• Clean the wheels

Since these are moving parts of the system small debris and dirt will automatically be removed. But in the mid and long run, it is needed to be manually cleaned with the residual build-up. There are several ways that you can perform this task. Put isopropyl alcohol cleaning liquid or lighter fluid on a paper towel to make it dampen. Then turn the machine on and hold the locomotive slightly over the towel. If you have heavy dirt on wheels, you may need extra attention. While applying power, you can use a fiberglass pen against the wheels lightly. 

If you don't have an all-wheel-powered loco, you can use a cotton swab or cloth to remove dirt. Make sure you keep the locomotive in a way that the cleaning dirt doesn't go inside of the machine. 

The frequency of this cleaning will depend on the track condition you run, the frequency of driving. Especially the tracks on the floor may need extra attention. 

• Keep the contacts clean

Your engines are powered by the electricity received through the contacts to the motor that connects through tiny metal plates. From time to time, the dirt may build up on these plates as well. As a result, the connection may not be solid and as a result, the required power supply may not come to the motor. For this, you may need to use a special cleaning product which can be founded by your local hobby shops. This is not a regular job to perform.

• Keep the railheads clean

This is a regular job to perform since it is comparatively easy and important to a smooth ride. By using an alcoholic wipe or a special product you can rub down the rail tops. Once done brush down the dirt and your trains would perform much better than earlier. 

To spend a quality time with your model track, it is much needed to allocate time to check and maintain the track and locos. It will ensure a smooth ride as well as the life time of your system. More you take care of your tracks and locos, more fun you can get. 

Happy railing!!!!