How To Clean Old Lionel Track

Can you use vinegar to clean your train tracks?

Vinegar has been used in cleaning for decades. It's a super versatile, totally safe cleaning product that removes all those harmful chemicals you find in a lot of other products. So lets talk about cleaning model train tracks with vinegar!

And, the best part is that it's a great cleaning solution for your model train tracks!

Most tracks, regardless of scale, are made using what is called "nickel silver" which is a combination of both metals. The best part about nickel silver is that it doesn't oxidise as fast as other metals, meaning it requires less cleaning.

Although, eventually it will get dirty or rusty.

Other types of tracks are often made using steel, brass or aluminium. The problem with steel or brass is that they're prone to going rusty quicker than not. So that's also something to be mindful of when purchasing your train tracks.

But what's the difference between how to clean your ho model train tracks vs cleaning your n scale train tracks I hear you ask? Well, nothing! All train tracks mostly use the exact same materia, so there's no real difference to cleaning them.

So what's the best way to clean model railroad track?

How to clean Model train tracks with Vinegar

Cleaning model train track is super easy, especially with vinegar. Now, most people will tell you that a white vinegar solution is going to work best, but most types of vinegar will get the job done.

If you've got a really persistent blemish or piece of rust that you can't get rid of, consider adding some salt to your vinegar solution.

There are a couple easy steps you need to complete:

Apply some White Vinegar to a cloth until it's damp
Wipe down all your train tracks with the cloth, until the rust or grime has gone.
Use another damp cloth with water to go back over the top of the tracks and remove the vinegar.

And that's it! Like we said above, if you've got a really hard part to clean, try adding some salt to the mixture. It's a bit more abrasive and will help scrub that dirt off quicker. Otherwise, if you've spilt something onto your tracks, adding a squeeze of lemon juice to your vinegar will act as a disinfectant and remove anything sticky.

What to know when cleaning model train tracks with vinegar

Using straight vinegar on nickel (not nickel silver) can cause it to turn a red colour and rust because of the acid. So while it's safe to use it on nickel silver, just make sure you wipe off any vinegar afterwards to be on the safe side. Otherwise you'll also need to learn how to clean rusty model train tracks as well!

Other than that, there's nothing else you need to worry about. Because vinegar is a natural, safe product there's no risk of poison or contamination or anything else.

While we're on the subject of how to clean model train tracks, what if you have a tough stain that vinegar just wont fix?

Other great products for model train track cleaner

Goo-B-Gone: A lot of people will choose to use Goo-B-Gone solution on their tracks. It's an all in one adhesive/stain remover for a variety of surfaces. Chances are good you might even have some of it lying around your house, or a product that is similar. You can also use this product if you need to clean rust of your model train tracks too!

No-Ox: No-Ox was a product so damn good, it's been discontinued? What does that even mean? Well, it was so effective that people only needed one small tin to last them a lifetime! So if you can manage to get your hands on some, grab it.

People will use some of this and not have to clean their tracks for another 6 months or more. It's the holy grail of cleaning model train track.

Update: A company called Sanchem now manufactures No-Ox-ID, which has amazing reviews and is pretty comprabale to the No-Ox of old! If you're after a product that will protect your track, we reccomend picking up some.

Wahl Clipper Oil: "Shaving oil? On my train track? No way!" I hear you say. But, this is a tried and true cleaning oil that many in the industry rave about.

It's an oil that's used to keep the metal clippers healthy and lubricated for prolonged usage, so your metal track tracks are an ideal place to use it!

Isopropyl alcohol: Something you probably have lying around the house anyway. It's just a rubbing alcohol that is used in a variety of different applications, from medicine to cleaning.

It's a good solvent that leaves no oily residue, so is perfect for giving your tracks a wipe down every now and then to keep them looking fresh and ready to run.

If you have any other sugggestions about the best way to clean your model train tracks, let us know in the comment!

Check out our post here to learn more about model trains! Or, if you're in the market for a new train, take a look at our best electric model trains guide!

Got any other suggestions for cleaning your tracks? Leave a comment below!

Peter has been building model trains for longer than he can remember. An avid fan of HO and O scale this blog is a creative outlet to allow him to dive further into other scales and aspects of the model train community and hobby.