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Tips for beginners: cleaning track |
Here's some help for those of you just starting out with model trains
Electric trains depend on electricity being conducted through the rails, to the wheels of the locomotive, and then to the motor. If the track or locomotive wheels are dirty, the electricity can't do its job, and your trains will run poorly - or not at all! Usually the solution is to clean the track. Sometimes, simply rubbing the tops of the rails with a clean, dry cloth will remove enough dirt to improve operation, but often you'll need something stronger.
A regular pink pencil eraser will do a surprisingly good job, and an old-time abrasive typewriter eraser will do even better. Best of all is a product specifically made for cleaning track, an eraser-like rubber block with a mild abrasive mixed in. Your hobby shop should have at least one variety; the most common brand is the "Bright Boy." No matter how dirty it is, don't clean track with sandpaper - will do more harm than good, and could ruin your track.
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