Cleaning wheels on Locomotives

I use alligator clips, one to a roller, one to a ground.  Then just use the remote.  I have been able to do this to all my MTH engines.  There is one  steam engine that has been recommended not to run upside down.  Marty always talked about it, but I never will have that one.

On a PS2 locomotive, use alligator clips from a variable transformer to the pickup roller and a metal spot on the chassis. The locomotive should run in conventional mode and you can adjust the speed. A PS3 locomotive may not operate conventionally if it has an address assigned to it, so you'd need to do a factory reset on it from DCS first, or connect it to a TIU output in the manner above and operate it from a remote. Haven't done this in a while as I switched to scale wheels some time ago.

Ultimately, the best way to keep your wheels clean is to keep your track clean and run the engines.

My engines are in the DCS System. I do not understand how to get the engine to startup in the cradle. I have put a clip on the roller and a clip on the frame. When I try to get the engine to startup the remote tells me that the engine is not on the track. 

Williamm

Run the engine in conventional mode for the cleaning, all you need is track power.

Matt,

How does the engine run conventionally if it is in the DCS system? Are you saying that I need to take it out of the DCS system in order to get it to run conventionally?

Harry

I simply turn the engine upside down in a cradle and use a large pipe cleaner to get to the back side of the wheels.

Just remove the TIU from the connection, and any PS/2 or PS/3 engine should run in conventional with no reset required.

Can someone please help me with this. I just tried again to run engine in the conventional mode with just the transformer. The startup sounds begin but I cannot get the engine to turn the wheels.

Ron,

Thank you for the pipe cleaner recommendation. I greatly appreciate your help. 

Williamm

I removed the TIU connection and still could not get the engine to run. I have given up and will use pipe cleaners.

MTH locomotives start up in neutral.  Once it has started, you need to power cycle/push the direction button on the transformer to get the wheels to move.

I use Q tips, dipped in denatured alcohol, usually 1 per wheel- one w/alcohol first then the other end after.  Running (Lionel) on a cradle, upside down  w/ alligator clips to the collector (pickup) and the frame.

Some older diesels will not run w/ the engine upside down- the E Unit starts in neutral, but will not change to either direction unless gravity is involved (loco right side up).

And oh yeah- I don't apply denatured alcohol to wheels having traction tires- for fear of drying out the tire and reducing it's life.  I just run them and clean using a dry Q tip on the traction tire.

FWIW, the late Marty Fitzhenry stated there were a couple of steam models that didn't like running upside down, and I now forget which they were.  Apparently, the rods would jam and bad thing happened after that.  Given that fact, I'd be careful unless you know your steamer will run properly upside down.

Hello,

Thanks to everyone for your recommendations. I finally discovered why I could not get the engines to power up. It was the ground. I was not getting the engines grounded properly. Once I found a good spot for grounding everything worked great. Have not had a problem once grounding was resolved. Also, so far I have not had an engine malfunctioning because it is upside down. Thanks for this piece of information. When cleaning my steam engines I will start them on very low voltage to prevent rod damage. Once I know I have rod clearance I will give more power.  I am a happy wheel cleaner now. What a difference it is doing it with the wheels running instead of the old way.

Again, thank you to everyone!

Williamm

Where can I ground?

the only thing that works is a wheel.

Stick a wire under this screw for the sideframes.

Williamm , thanks for thequestion. Guys thanks for all the information and John thanks you for the photo!

thanks!

Thanks for this thread! great information for a newbie like me! One more question, has anyone built a wooden cradle or something similar to hold the engines for cleaning and repair? Any recommended dimensions that work for most locomotives??

@LT1Poncho posted:

Thanks for this thread! great information for a newbie like me! One more question, has anyone built a wooden cradle or something similar to hold the engines for cleaning and repair? Any recommended dimensions that work for most locomotives??

I think most people use a foam cradle and they are made by a number of manufacturers. See this thread ...

Cradle for Train Repairs | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

Like Richie says, the foam cradle is the Cat's Meow for working on these.

Lay a rag across the rails soaked in denatured alcohol and run the loco on it .

@rustycoupler posted:

Lay a rag across the rails soaked in denatured alcohol and run the loco on it .

No!….that’s just a tad bit dangerous,….one spark and you’ll have an invisible fire that you’ll never put out,…..bad idea!!!

Pat

I had a tough time getting these Atlas wheels cleaned with alcohol.  Then I tried this and the engine runs great.

Ballistiol cleaner and lubricant works great for me.

@rustycoupler posted:

Lay a rag across the rails soaked in denatured alcohol and run the loco on it .

Other than the obvious fire risk for doing this, there are a couple of other factors.

• Alcohol being a polar solvent isn't the best choice.
• Simply running over an alcohol soaked rag is unlikely to dislodge much of the grime on the wheels.

I run them upside down in the foam cradle and use Naphtha to clean the wheels.

John,

Would QD contact cleaner work ok?  It's the same stuff I use to clean the track which has been recommended on the Forum.

Otherwise, I looked in Home Depot app and found VM&P Naptha by Klean Strip.  I might get that.

How would I clean the traction tires?  Just a dry Q-tip?  I once used denatured alcohol and the traction tire broke soon after.

Don't put alcohol on the tires, it does cause deterioration.  You can use the QD contact cleaner, I just use Naphtha as it's dirt cheap.  I keep refilling the same lighter fluid bottle from a quart of the Naphtha, it's a convenient dispenser.

I had to have hand surgery last year, they gave me a medical soft foam block with arm size holes in it, in the sides and across the middle of it to keep my hand elevated facing straight up while it healed. When I was done needing it for my hand, I cut it in half across the middle hole opening, now I have two foam cradles for locomotives that work perfectly for holding them upside down for working on and cleaning them.😁