Jackie,
I don't think Gilbert tinplate track is the greatest track for conductivity if using newer more "fussy" type engines containing electronics. Neither is a dirty track. If you use an abrasive device to clean your track, you may want to research some of the postings concerning ways of cleaning track. According to some, abrasives impart microscopic scratches in the material of the rails. The normal dirt and crud from running your trains finds it's way into those scratches and reduces conductivity. There is a listing of liquid type cleaning agents with varying degrees of conductivity enhancement that can be used in cleaning track. I personally have switched to the use of mineral spirits for cleaning my AM track. I use 3 948 track cleaning cars in a row, the 1st set of pads contains the mineral spirits and the rest are dry. 4 or 5 passes around and I remove the 1st set of pads and replace with dry pads for a few passes. It seems that the intervals between track requiring cleaning is much longer. Before cleaning I wipe a small section of rail with a paper towel to check the track condition and after the cleaning process there is always a huge difference. I run all types of the newer stuff and never have a problem and seen no effect on traction tires. Just a suggestion.
Rich
