Loco wheel cleaning

[DaveEssex]

I have seen a section on wheel cleaning under tutorials with no recent posts, but I have a question, so I hope it is OK to post here.

I am looking for a good way to clean wheels on DCC locos.  I have a chinese/japanese product with two metalised fabric strips (GaugeMaster GM47 looks like their branded version of the same product)  This has worked very well on my DC locos.  I am now trying to get my DCC layout back up and running after a nearly 3-year gap.  I have tried to put a DCC loco on the track cleaner but the wheels do not want to turn.  Is there a "knack" or is there something about DCC locos that prevent it working?

Any other ideas for DCC loco wheel cleaning would be appreciated. 

Dave

[Dorsetmike]

I use a Minitrix wheel cleaner, I note Gaugemaster now offer a similar item
https://www.petersspares.com/gaugemaster-gm59-wheel-cleaning-brush-n-gauge.ir
Place the cleaner on powered track, The cleaning is done by brass wire brushes in a similar way to the one you describe; don't know if it would work with DCC though. Do you have a DC controller? If so it might be worth having a short length of track on your work bench powered from the DC controller.

[devonjames]

One of these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275126912368

Works fine on dcc if you call up the loco's address. Just croc clip it onto the track (the clips latch on to code 55 rails ok). Very quick ans simple.

[Railwaygun]

I use a Minitrix wheel cleaner, I note Gaugemaster now offer a similar item
https://www.petersspares.com/gaugemaster-gm59-wheel-cleaning-brush-n-gauge.ir
Place the cleaner on powered track, The cleaning is done by brass wire brushes in a similar way to the one you describe; don't know if it would work with DCC though. Do you have a DC controller? If so it might be worth having a short length of track on your work bench powered from the DC controller.

These wire-brush cleaners may chew up traction tyres

[DaveEssex]

Thanks for the suggestions and links.  The GM product is out of stock, but I will check other retailers. Point about traction tyres noted.   The Ebay item is a longish leadtime, but looks promising.
Dave

[ntpntpntp]

to use any powered wheel cleaner with a DCC loco you can either connect it up to the DCC, call up the loco address and set it at about half speed, or if you haven't disabled DC support in the decoder then use a DC power pack again set at half speed.

I use the Minitrix style wheel cleaners (I do also have a TGW device similar to the GM-47 or woodland Scenics Roto wheel cleaner). Yes the Minitrix item can also be found branded as Gaugemaster and Conrad.   The trick is not to press hard, just set the wheels turning at a reasonable speed (not full tilt )  and gently move the loco back and forth on the cleaner. 

I'm not a fan of just plonking the model on the cleaner and letting it run against the stop, which is why I've not really used my TGW cleaner.

Try and avoid the traction tyred wheels if you can, but it's not always possible and they will benefit from a light clean occasionally too.  I've been using the Minitrix blocks since the 1970s and never caused any undue wear or damage to traction tyres.

[Newportnobby]

I have the Minitrix brush cleaner like the Gaugemaster one in reply #1 but don't use it on locos with traction tyres. Also, don't press down too hard as it's easy to grind gears on the centre strip of the cleaner