Transmission Fluid?

rush2ny Apr 3, 2011

  1. rush2ny

    rush2ny TrainBoard Member

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    I just paged through a friend's copy of the latest MRR. There is an article about using automotive transmission fluid to increase electrical contact. I know that I didn't read the entire article but I didn't see any information about whether or not long term use of this would damage plastic ties?
    Anyone here try using this method and (if so) did it lead to any damage?

    Russ
     
  2. ratled

    ratled TrainBoard Supporter

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    I use 100% synthetic ATF for loco lubing and have no problem with it on the plastic or paints there. The problem I see with it on the track is it will be a glue for dust and build up gunk fast. The upside with 100% synthetic is there is no oil it to dry out and add to the gunk effect.

    For the best track methods look at the thread on this forum under No Ox. It gets the same or better results than gleaming the track without all of the work
    ratled
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This will leave a residue on your rails. As already noted, it will attract crud. That residue will get on every wheel and it will pick up more crud. On power transmitting wheels, that is not good. And if it builds up enough, it can also help cause derailments.

    Never use any "cleaner" which ends up leaving a residual or residue.

    Boxcab E50
     
  4. Mike Sheridan

    Mike Sheridan TrainBoard Member

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    Use of oil (often Wahl clipper oil) on the track has been discussed before, and the use of ATF for lube has been discussed here as well - but using ATF on the track is an interesting twist. It seemed to me the authors have done their homework.

    Have you read the article? I think they addressed most of your concerns (but it's been a week or two since I read it :embarassed: )
     
  5. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Maybe I'm misunderstanding this concept, but even if ATF does increase electrical contact... why would you want to use a lubricant on wheels that we normally want to increase friction to get more pulling power?
     
  6. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Any form of petrolium based fluid WILL attack and swell ANY rubber product, so you guy's running traction tires, they'll be no good in a matter of moments.
     
  7. Old Fat Robert

    Old Fat Robert TrainBoard Member

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    ATF

    I just finished rescanning the article. The author noted that the club found no unusual build of dirt, grime, etc. He did point out that the wheels did continue to turn black but did not attract "the former lumpy crud". He also noted that the club has used the ATF on their main lines for more than a year.
    Old Fat Robert
     
  8. retsignalmtr

    retsignalmtr TrainBoard Member

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    Having worked in the electrical field all my life, one of the rules with electrical conductivity is clean and dry is best. Moving contacts that have an oily film will attract dust and create the black crud that will effect conductivity. Oil on the rails will effect traction.
    When someone at my club over lubes a loco it drips on the rails and eventually we have to go around and clean the rails because of dirty track. If it works for them then they can continue with it. But clean and dry works for me and I very rarely have to clean my track. I also use slider cars in each train I run.
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, gee- No. I am not concerned- That was the original poster, not I. I do not need to waste my time doing that reading. Read the first paragraph of post eight by retsignalmtr here, as I know his statement is fact, without that article.

    Anyone who'd care to oil their tracks, by all means, learn from your mistake!

    Boxcab E50
     
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    The new synthetics are not supposed to do this. However, one thing we might wonder- Have they truly been in use long enough they can make such an absolute proclamation? So many things have come along which were to do "X," yet after time went by, oops- An unknown, undesired side effect......

    Even if this stuff did no harm to a traction tire, should any get beneath it, you can probably expect the tire to sooner or later start slipping on it's wheel.

    Boxcab E50
     
  11. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Man has been running electric model trains since the turn of the last century with clean, dry track. A little elbow grease will go alot farther. Just sayin'. :rolleyes:
     
  12. mogollon

    mogollon TrainBoard Member

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    Man, if there was ever an argument for using radio control, this should be it! Funny thing is that without using track power, rails and wheels stay clean without any fluids or brite boy work. Could be something in the electron flow that causes gunk and lousy operation. One day, one day......
    Woodie
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I certainly agree.

    When necessary for anything of mine, I use a very mildly abrasive Bright Boy. I may or may not wipe down with a very lightly moistened cloth, using such Isopropyl alcohol- No residue left.

    Boxcab E50
     
  14. S_R_N

    S_R_N E-Mail Bounces

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    I was dissapointed to see this article in MRR. It gave absolutely no specifics on type or brand of ATF. The editor did insert a note that ATF is a highly refined form of mineral oil. Well, if it's synthetic or not, it isn't just mineral oil. There are the various proprietary additives contained in all types, such as friction modifiers that can vary from brand to brand. Nothing about them was mentioned. The MDS for one brand that I looked at mentioned it contained the reportable chemicals cadmium, arsenic, lead, ethylbenzene and sulfur dioxide The amounts weren't given.
     
  15. rush2ny

    rush2ny TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for all your answers. Many of the concerns that I had are shared by most of you. Another concern of mine was that after spending time and effort gluing down ballast and stuff, I am positive that any accidental overflow of the fluid would ruin it.

    Russ
     
  16. Smithsr

    Smithsr TrainBoard Member

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    The above needs to be bold print !! ATF is one of the last chemical cocktails I want in my house
    with the family handling trains and track.

    Each new generation of ATF is more dangerous than the last. Worst modeling idea I've seen in a while.
     
  17. Phil Olmsted

    Phil Olmsted TrainBoard Member

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    Maybe the MR editors forgot to add "April Fool". Makes no sense to me.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 5, 2011
  18. meledward23

    meledward23 TrainBoard Member

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    I presume that is MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). Besides that (typo I presume), great data to report. People don't look these up often enough. I have to put together MSDS books for Job Sites and get to look at these for all kinds of mundane to nasty things.
     
  19. COverton

    COverton TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dexron III Mercon is the only exterior lubricant I use on my HO steamers. It is a superior lubricant. It is safe for plastics and paints.

    I just don't/can't subscribe to the notion that placing any lubricant, synthetic or otherwise, on rails is going to be salutary for the tractive device's intended purpose. I like my rails dry, and they stay clean. I never have cleaned them, except to run a finger or dry cloth over them to get rid of particulate dust once or twice a year. My rails sit, exposed, for weeks in between train runs.

    I have been using the ATF for six years now. I am sixty, have excellent health, still don't have to get up during the night (not even close), and have no neurological disorders. I think any substance can be harmful if used unwisely. As a lubricant applied purposefully and carefully, the orientation one ought to have to expensive toy locomotives, it is as safe as matches. No one seems to be squeamish about having those in the house.
     
  20. S_R_N

    S_R_N E-Mail Bounces

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    Crandell, you are using a specific type and brand of ATF as an engine lubricant in small quantities. That is entirely different than spreading any old type and/or brand on the tracks as recommended by the article.
     

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