[Al McEvoy]

A relatively simple fix - is to spray CRC 2-26 (find in electrical section of Home Depot /Lowes, etc.) on the wheels and/or on the problematic sections of track. Don't need a lot. Spray on all metal wheels on all rolling stock. Let it run around the loop at slow-to-moderate speed.  Keep a can or two handy.  Repeat as needed.  Minimizes the creation of the black gunk; aids conductivity.

 

[Al McEvoy]

Posted By Greg Elmassian on 05/30/2009 11:01 PM
Interesting Al, have you tried this on both brass and stainless? Would like to hear more. 

Regards, Greg 




Greg - I have only tried this on brass track. I have no experience with stainless or other track materials. The first time I saw this, it was on Steve Gugen's layout that has a long (~50 ft) 3% grade and the CRC 2-26 did affect traction for a short while only. He ran a 33-car train with 4 mu Aristo dismals on the front end.  Also ran my unmodified Bachmann 2-8-0 Connie pulling about 8 cars with only slight loss of traction; and my LGB Krok pulling 4 passenger cars without much problem.  On my temporary backyard layout, I had a long ~4 to 5% grade with LGB R5 curves but the CRC (after it worked in and spread out) did not cause excessive slippage with any of my equipment.


Al

 

[Al McEvoy]

Lownote - I am not surprised that you had some traction problems on grades with the CRC 2-26; that is consistent with what I observed also. But as the compund is worn in / spread around, the traction improves. Yes the product does a very effective job with surface contaminants, but my primary reason for using it as opposed to kerosene or other plain solvents is because of its electrical properties - which are excellent. We want to improve conductivity in our electrical pickups on locos, tenders, passengers cars etc., and from my experience, this compound helps maintain that very well when lightly applied to those pickup wheels and contacts. I can't speak to how well other solvents perform in that regard because I have not tried them.


Al