Dear LK, MRH fans, OK, I'll
Dear LK, MRH fans,
OK, I'll bite
PK: Answers within text
Given these facts the logical steps to improving locomotive operations are:
1. Create an environment that generates least amount of dust possible
PK: For show layouts that may have to operate anywhere, not really possible.
PK: For layouts in "California Basements", cement floor dust may be an inherrent/common issue?
2. Remove dust from rails as frequently as practical
PK: Or, as has been suggested, run more trains
3. Treat rail with a surface coating having the following characteristics:
PK: Easy, do-able
PK: taking graphite, let's see how it stacks up
a. Dry PK; Check
b. Electrically conductive PK: Check
c. Thin film, to minimize dimensional change PK: Check
d. Hard, to tolerate wear
PK: Interesting. I prefer to use 2B grade graphite sticks, because the softer grade drops slightly more graphite than a harder grade.
PK: In terms of "does the train motion wear it away?" I'd respond
"if the wheels of the equipment are coated in graphite,
then they re/distribute the graphite far more than they wear it away"
PK: in consequence, I have a strict "NO Foreign Equipment" policy on my layouts, esp at shows, unless
1 - they can be shown to have had a fresh wheelclean
and/or
2 - they have come from a known graphite-treated layout
You wouldn't vacuum and clean all the carpet and rugs in your house,
then immediately tromp thru the house with your dirty muddy workboots on???
PK: Graphite treated wheels tend to pickup and carry less contaminants, for the same reasons that dust doesn't stick to graphite'd rails. As a practical example, I had to build a fleet of log cars for a friend's HO/HOn3/HOn30 show layout here. These cars were MDC "3in1" sets, using the OEM plastic wheelsets. They _never_ operated on any other layout, and were "graphite treated" from day 1. After 8 years of show operation, the layout and all rollingstock was sold. The new owner thanked my friend for "replacing all of the MDC wheelsets with new as part of the sale", there was insignificant wear to be seen, and none of the classic "dust/grot-caked tread" of long-service MDC/Athearn plastic wheelsets
PK; I personally stick with metal wheelsets from P2K, Athearn, Kadee, Steam Era Models, and AM models now, but the results over 15+ years of testing speak for themselves IMHO
e. Long lasting, to reduce maintenance
PK; If we assume "long lasting" = "under heavy train passage", then we've already covered that above.
In terms of "long lasting under no-train-movement + non-ideal layout storage conditions", how does storing the modules on a show layout in a unpainted concrete floor + un-insulated/unsealed fibro garage, thru sub 8 degree C winter and a following 40+ degree summer sound?
PK: there are a number of layouts here in Sydney Australia which withstand such conditions, and with graphite treatment on their side, can have a loco placed on the tracks and reliably "crawled away" after periods of inactivity spanning up to 12 months.
PK: in terms of "maintaining the coating", graphite can be most easily obtained and handled via art stores, where it is usually known as Woodless Pencils. I use the "Progresso" brand,
http://tinyurl.com/2f5stx7
PK: a simple "swipe" along the mainline railhead + some train movement will carry the graphite around the layout handily. Single ended spurs may need a dedicated swipe with the graphite stick due to their lower traffic movement, but "maintaining" a graphite rail coating is a very low-stress, low-effort activity.
(Notice a "hiccup" somewhere, swipe with graphite stick, next train thru = problem solved).
f. Non-hazardous
PK: Graphite, as in the stuff they make children's pencils from, because the original lead _was_ poisonous. If children can chew on this stuff and not be any more affected than "making a multicolored mess around their mouth", then I'd suggest it's v.possibly safer than many chemicals we commonly use in Model RRing....
PK: If I may add 2 more criteria
Cost = between US$2 and US$5/2B-grade stick
(which should last over 18 months of continuous "show layout" usage)
Availability = most art stores, and better-stocked newsagents/stationary stores
(Confirmed available in US, Australia, NZ, Germany, and UK).
I'm not saying graphite is the "be all and end all" solution either,
but I can't see anything in the list of criteria missing?
Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
PS on the Negative side of the ledger, graphite IS indeed a lubricant. Kadee's "Greas'em" is essentially powdered graphite, as is "Dry Lock Lubricant" as used by locksmiths and safe-mechanics. Ergo, If your locos are only _just_ pulling your grades now on "dry clean rail", they _will_ most likely slip on graphite'd rails.
(can be a benefit for small and micro-layout builders, where the sliding behaviour of graphite'd wheels/rails help minimise wear on the waaaay-tooo-tight radii curves )