How to Maintain and Care For Your Vintage Antique Lionel Trains By Frank Keenan At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

It’s true that building an excellent model train layout can be very costly considering you have to buy locomotives, different types of rail cars, track, landscaping, buildings etc. and these items can be pricey. Even though this hobby may be one of the most expensive, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide don’t mind spending their money on this interesting pastime.

With that being said such an investment in a model train collection requires a certain amount of maintenance to make sure it’s taken care of properly. No one wants to have their hard-earned money wasted and with a little work, you can make sure your train set stays in good condition for many years to come.

Here are a few ways to help keep your expensive model train setup in pristine condition and cut down the cost of maintenance in the years to come. These are guidelines of the basic principles needed to keep your set running smoothly.

-Firstly all your expensive items in your model train collection like your locomotives and rolling stock such as your wagons, carriage cars, cabooses etc. need to stored when you’re not using them. The last thing you want is dust or moisture finding their way into the mechanisms of the pieces so you are best to put them into some type of container and store somewhere dry and warm like a cupboard. Many people store their sets in the garage or basement but if you intend to do so make sure there’s not a lot of dampness, otherwise in time it could cause damage to your collection.

- Always clean any dirt and dust off all the individual components using a soft cloth or sponge. This will prevent any chance of dirt building up in many of the surface areas. Over a period if not cleaned regularly an accumulation of dirt can cause damage to your paintwork and impair the working condition of your collection.

-Many people still use batteries to power their train sets and if you do you definitely want remove them if you don’t plan on using your collection for an extended period of time. Damage can be caused by batteries leaking, as they will do if they are not used regularly. The chemicals can be abrasive and harsh to the sensitive parts of the components.
-Keep all tracks that carry the current clean if you are using electric control to operate your trains. This will ensure your set functions in the proper manner.

-Always avoid touching a locomotive when it’s running to avoid damage to its motor and its advisable to run it on its own power.

Operating a model train collection can offer a rewarding experience especially if it’s in good condition and runs to its full potential. Keeping it clean and well maintained, although time consuming, will ensure long life to your collection and save you money in the long run. Aside from all of these tips one very important one is to remember to enjoy your hobby.

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