Postwar Lionel 3927 Track Cleaning Car

fwits worth alcohol, although some people might have a different opinion, dry track thoroughly after cleaning so no rust! there are many good cleaners, but some cleaners can be harmful to your health breathing! different contact cleaners are ok but remember not to breath them in or open windows and ventilate room afterwards!

Alan

Lionel track cleaning fluid in the little gray plastic canisters is the same as today's 409 or Fantasik spray cleaners.

Hey. I just obtained one of these, too. But have a different question, if My Lionel doesn’t mind.

How in the world do you get that bottom disc off to change the circular sponge pad? I just can’t get it off. 🤔

Don't try to force it off. It pulls down to unsnap it from the driving gear, But if you try that now, more likely than not the 2 retaining snaps will break off due to the plastic turning brittle. And no reproduction parts of that gear are available. Use a small screwdriver to scrape the old sponge off the aluminum disc and use a new self stick sponge available.

Wow, thank you Chuck. I will try that and appreciate the tip. 👍

Here is a list of parts like chuck said the gears are hard to find  traintender does have some parts, is the arbor what you are talking about he does have that, Good luck Mark

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Hey. I just obtained one of these, too. But have a different question, if My Lionel doesn’t mind.

How in the world do you get that bottom disc off to change the circular sponge pad? I just can’t get it off. 🤔

That parts diagram is very helpful, Sitka. Thank you.

Well whadaya know? I tried Chuck's recommendation and it worked beautifully. I was making it too hard. You simply pull back on the paper backing of the disk and you can tear it right off, cleanly. Then you just slip on the new disk so it fits around the center and you're ready to go.

Using ZAP Rail-Zip 2 track cleaner, applied manually to the circular sponge, I tried it out on the freight section of my layout, and boy, was the track dirty! But not anymore.

Many thanks to Chuck and Mark for their help.

I modified mine for Scotchbright, so I don't need any liquid cleaner.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I modified mine for Scotchbright, so I don't need any liquid cleaner.

John...  Great idea.  I just finished renovating a 3927 and was iso the sponge discs when I saw your Scotch-Brite suggestion.  Bought a 3-pack today...seemed to be the right thickness.  However, when I cut a ring of S-B to fit the aluminum disc, it doesn't seem to extend down far enough to contact the rails...IOW, not thick enough.  The next size (thickness) up seemed much TOO thick for the application.

So how did you "modify" your 3927 to accommodate the S-B?  Did you add a layer...thick cardstock, etc...to add depth to the aluminum disc to get the S-B in contact with the rail tops??  And, how did you attach all of it together...double-side tape, tacky glue, ???...to make replacement not a major project in itself??

I really like the concept of the S-B vs. sponge for this job.  Thanks for any help.

KD

I stuck some very pliable foam under it to bend it down slightly and force contact with the rails.