Garden Railway Forum

Just finished running my RH Russell. After the run I set to and cleaned the track.I use apiece of cloth wrapped around a block of wood, it is fairly easy on the raised sections but hard on the back when the track is at ground level.
on a visit to Butterly in the summer I saw a wagon dripping IPA on the track to clean it.

Is there a recommended method for track cleaning after running a steam loco or is it an every man has his own method?.

Gralyn:104237 wrote:... I saw a wagon dripping IPA on the track to clean it.

Why Indian Pale Ale?
I think IPA is better down my throat ...

I've seen a tank wagon that dribbles either meths or parraffin (can't remember which) to soften the dirt. The drawback was that you needed to follow it quickly with something to remove the dirt altogether.

williamfj:104239 wrote:I've seen a tank wagon that dribbles either meths or parraffin (can't remember which) to soften the dirt. The drawback was that you needed to follow it quickly with something to remove the dirt altogether.

............... and at Butterley, we use a piece of what I think may well be carpet fitted round a piece of wood.

MDLR:104242 wrote:

williamfj:104239 wrote:I've seen a tank wagon that dribbles either meths or parraffin (can't remember which) to soften the dirt. The drawback was that you needed to follow it quickly with something to remove the dirt altogether.

............... and at Butterley, we use a piece of what I think may well be carpet fitted round a piece of wood.

Ah that's what it was. at frst I thought it was a bit of dead sheep!

I personally have never bothered. One of the benefits of live steam and battery as I see it is no track cleaning!

How about butchering a cheap broom with a screw on handle? Remove the bristles, cut the head to size and attach a bit of rag with drawing pins. Soak the rag in a solution of your choice and away you go.


I agree that IPA is better drunk than smeared on the track! The Ale that is not Isopropol-whotsit. Although on the other hand............

I have to remove most buildings and lineside structures for protection from my dog and weather.  This means I can use a medium pressure water hose aimed between the rails and dwelling on the moving parts of my sm32 points.  Of course the muck gets chucked all over the trackside but this is of little concern as the buildings are safely stowed out of the way.  I do the hosing quite early before a running session if the track is dirty.  I find that after the water has run off or dried it leaves fine grit on the rails that can be heard when running the first train after cleaning.  This can easily be removed, if necessary, by quickly running a soft brush in the direction of the rails.
When I ballast the track I'm assuming this hose treatement will be even quicker and more effective.
Hope this helps.

Tanks for that Andy. I have taken up with Big Jim's idea with a block of wood on the end of a bamboo cane. I have wrapped the block with soft leather and squirt a bit of WD40 on to it and run it along the track where it is at ground level. Saves bending over.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I just wondered if anybody had any photos of any track cleaning wagons? I heard recently of somebody who converted an LGB tank wagon for this purpose, and since I have on to hand I am considering a similar conversion, but I my attempts to find pictures have drawn a complete blank

MuzTrem wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:26 pm Sorry to bump an old thread, but I just wondered if anybody had any photos of any track cleaning wagons? I heard recently of somebody who converted an LGB tank wagon for this purpose, and since I have on to hand I am considering a similar conversion, but I my attempts to find pictures have drawn a complete blank

Look on Rik's Peckforton Blogs for his track cleaning vehicle.