How to Clean a Brass Model of a Railroad Track

Mount track cleaning pads under one of your train cars to clean lightly dirtied track. Different manufacturers require different mounting processes, so follow the manufacturer's instructions when mounting. Generally, the cleaning pad is placed so that you drag it along the tops of the rails as you drive your locomotive along your track. As the train drags the cleaning pad along, it scrubs the tracks, removing any dirt or debris from the rail. By scrubbing the rails clean you reestablish the electric current between the train and the track. Place the car containing the pad directly behind the locomotive, and run only the two cars when cleaning. Clean the pad after about 200 feet of track using a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.

Clean off moderate levels of dirt and grime using a sanding sponge. Turn off the track's power. Take the sanding sponge and run it over the tracks by hand, scrubbing away the collected dirt and debris. Pay close attention to discolored areas of the track that may indicate a film created by oxidation. Change the sponge when the abrasive wears from the surface.

Clear heavy levels of dirt from the track, such as that left from a winter's disuse, with a drywall pole sander. Mount a drywall sanding cloth onto the end of the pole. Push the sanding cloth along the rails, removing any buildup of contaminants as you go along. Sweep away any debris that falls to the side of the rails.