Rejuvenating model trains

[Scouse]

My mum has just found a couple of boxes of old OO scale locos, rolling stock & various structures.

Most of the older Tri-ang stuff is my dad's from the '50s but there's a few newer pieces too. The layout my brother & I had it all on would have been dismantled in the early/mid '80s so this has been stored away for at least 30 years now & is looking a little worse for wear. They were actually thought lost but they were in the roof space of my mum's garage all this time.

My brother was into the model trains more than me & there's a few locos & carriages of his that are still brand new in the box. Needless to say, all need mechanical attention to get running again after sitting idle for so long.

My concern is for cleaning up the bodywork. As you can see below, they're quite scruffy looking & I thought I might strip them down as much as possible & give the plastic bodies a soaking in car wash detergent (milder than dishwashing detergent IIRC). I don't want to make them any worse than they already are by trying to clean them the wrong way.

Does that sound like the way to go?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102628&d=1449227559

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102629&d=1449227559

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102630&d=1449227559

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102631&d=1449227559

This is #2 son at the controls of our his current layout:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102632&d=1449227559

102628

102629

102630

102631

102632

[p38arover]

This is #2 son at the controls of our his current layout:

Oi! You didn't show me that layout! I'm the trained signaller. We tell train drivers where to go.

[Scouse]

If I let you play trains here, your car would still have a leaking head gasket :D

[isuzutoo-eh]

Gentle scrubbing under warm water with a toothbrush will get most of the dust off. For mechanical parts they really do want to be stripped down properly, however any congealed grease and oil can be removed using a circuit board cleaner spray, pretty sure they are all plastic safe. Afterwards you need to be very thorough but very sparing with new lube. Every bearing surface and gear needs oil, including the motor bearings, however you ideally need to use a watchmaker's oiler or simply put a dollop of (light, plastic compatible) oil on a palette and use a needle or pin to transfer tiny amounts to the bearings. Over oiling is almost as bad for the trains as no lubrication.
I can sell you some appropriate oil if you'd like ;) I'm sure All Aboard at Braemar or Joe at Casula would sell it too, if they are closer to you.

[strangy]

Dont use circuit board cleaner or any solvent based cleaner. It could melt and discolour the plastic.
It depends on what the plastic composition is for its ability to cope with solvents of any strength, so dont take any chances.

Warm water and soft tootbrush and modelers stiff paint brush with care is the best.
if the bogies are metal and removable, WD40 and toothbrush will bring them up.

[p38arover]

Would you like me to lend you my ultrasonic cleaner?

[isuzutoo-eh]

Would you like me to lend you my ultrasonic cleaner?

That's ideal for anything except the motor, which may too be okay in it, I just wouldn't risk it.

[Scouse]

Would you like me to lend you my ultrasonic cleaner?Does it work? I'll have a look in the faulty goods thread.

[p38arover]

Does it work?

It will until I lend it to you. :p

[drivesafe]

Does it work? I'll have a look in the faulty goods thread.

Very funny, not nice but very funny.:D:D:D:D