Recently I came across a YouTube video about using something called NO-OX to clean model railroad track. After looking at a few more videos and also finding some other references to it on the internet I decided that I wanted to give it a try. Turns out that this has been around for years and I was quite surprised that I had not heard of it before.
Shopping for NO-OX I found that it is used in a wide range of applications to prevent corrosion and to promote electrical conductivity.
I ended up buying this 8 ounce tube on ebay. Considering the tiny amounts used to clean track and how long the effects of an application are supposed to last this tube may last me for a very long time.
Because this is a paste like substance I was concerned about loose ballast getting stuck to it so want to keep the application very thin. The way I applied the NO-OX was to smear a thin layer onto the pads of my Woodland Scenics track cleaning tool. Did not press hard, just slid it around the track.
I still use my Aztec track cleaning cars with the frabic rollers and my home made Masonite wiper car. I may also be able to use one of the wiper pads on my Atlas motorized track cleaning car to get into the spur tracks.
It has been about 3 weeks now since I have started using this product and the results have been quite noticeable especially at slow speeds. The one application 3 weeks ago has not been repeated except for a few areas where I had leaned on the track while working on the layout.
Thanks for the tips for the No-Ox. I ordered a tub and have used it on the layout. Certainly seems to be promising. Please keep us posted re your progress on your blog. Thx. Regards Brendan
ReplyDeleteHi Brendan, I actually learned of this from a Youtube video done by an Australian modeler. He was using an Australian product called "In-Ox" but mentioned that the American equivalent product was called "No-Ox" so that is what I looked for. Whichever one you use hope it works for you as well as it has for me.
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