Fastrack

I would love to hear some recommendations on this, as well.

do a search on the forum, there are many threads on cleaning tracks of all kinds.  I personally have the track cleaning car from North East Trains and use alcohol on the pads

There are many opinions on this subject.  A lot of things can be used to clean the track, train wheels and pick-up rollers.  Using non-polar solvents increases the time between cleanings as they help reduce arcing which leads to carbon build-up on the track, pick-ups, and wheels.  Carbon build-up increases electrical resistance between the train and track causing increased arcing, causing more carbon build-up requiring more frequent cleaning.

I used to use alcohol, but after reading the recommendations of others here on the forum who clearly understand electricity and chemistry better than I do, I've switched.

Mineral Spirits is one such non-polar solvent which works very well and doesn't leave a slippery residue behind.  I find it removes carbon deposits from the track with less effort than 91% isopropyl alcohol.

  I tried Denatured Alcohol but it left a thin coat of surface rust, then I tried lacquer thinner seems to be better

@ArtsModelTrains posted:

do a search on the forum, there are many threads on cleaning tracks of all kinds.  I personally have the track cleaning car from North East Trains and use alcohol on the pads

Thanks, I will look them up

Instead of buying a pricey track cleaning car I use Country Bunker Trains idea of a large can of soup in a gondola car of your choice with a Magic Eraser underneath the gondola.  You need to trim the Magic Eraser with scissors to fit underneath your gondola. Put your cleaning fluid of choice on the magic eraser, just dampen it, and run it around the tracks. This has worked great for me and doesnt cost a whole lot. If I was better with tech I would link Country Bunkers video to this. If you look for him on his  You Tube channel you will see it.