MATT LOVELL looks at these new wheel cleaning brushes.
Keeping wheels clean on locomotives has always been an issue, effecting realistic or slow running. Whilst there are lots of products on the market to aid keeping the wheels clean Gaugemaster have released a new and easy to use cleaner which just sits on the track.
The GM60 Locomotive Wheel Cleaning Brush OO Scale has two brass contacts which sit on the top of the rails.
These contacts are linked to the two brushes on the top which pass the electricity to the locomotive wheels. Carefully place the locomotive on the top of the brass brushes.
Lightly holding the locomotive in place; apply power to the track and the wheels will start to rotate and the brushes will clean the wheels.
Tip: It's best not to use the wheel cleaning brush on locomotives with traction tyres as it may damage them. Our Wheel Cleaners, GM47 for N Scale and GM50 for HO/OO Scale, are less abrasive.
Should you have a longer locomotive than 105mm you can connect two of the GM60 cleaners together to form a longer cleaner.
This is done by using the male and female connectors on the side of the cleaners.
Simply slide the two cleaner’s together (bottom to top) and place on the track.
The GM59 Locomotive Wheel Cleaning Brush is same style of cleaner is available in N scale. However, this version does not have connectors to increase the length.
This cleaner can also be used on Z Scale as the contacts underneath are wide enough to sit on both Z and N gauge track.
A great product which should be in every railway modeller’s tool box.