Model Railway Forum

another newbe,hi my name is Dave just discovered my forgotten steam engine set, deep in the loft RS.609 still in its box with original controller 52 years old, little play engine slightly temperamental but will give it a clean then decide what do next certainly brought memories back

Welcome
Same thing happened to me when exploring the loft with my son.
Careful this could get out of hand

Welcome to the forum David

Your old train set will almost certainly need some TLC. First the track is very likely to be Steel rail which rusts and is not such a good conductor of electricity rail to loco wheels as modern Nickle Silver track! To test use a magnet (frdge magnet will do) if the rail is steel the magnet will attract NS rail it wont attract the magnet.
Next thoroughly clean the rail. Steel rail use very fine grade of Wet and Dry or Emery cloth, followed up by a burnish with a specially made Track Rubber. If NS rail then do not use the wet and dry or Emery cloth, but instead just use the Track Rubber and ideally a final wipe over with a lint free cloth dampened with some 99.9% Isopropanol Alcohol also known as IPA (Not the beer!). The IPA has many uses on other items for cleaning eBay is a good source of 99.9% IPA (Do not use weaker percentages as these will contain water!)

Once the track is spotlessly clean turn to the loco. Almost for sure that after such a long time in storage, all the manufacturers lubricants will have dried out. You will need to obtain oil specially sold for model use. DO NOT use spray lubricant such as WD40 or oil like 3 in 1 as these are too thick. Special 'Lubrication oil pens' are readily available.
Only ever apply a tiny spot of oil. Lubricate all pivots wheel bearings and open up the loco and apply oil to each end of the motor where the drive shaft emerges through the bearings. A light application of oil to the worm gear or gearing if not a worm drive may also help, but ideally here a special white lithium grease is the best to use, again sold specially for model use.

Shopping list....
Track Rubber e.g. Hornby item R8087, Peco item PL-41. Gaugemaster GM27 as examples. Or local model shop.
Lubricating oil... Gaugemaster Precision lubricating pen. There are many other suppliers too. Or local model shop.
Lithium Grease (if needed) Google search for supplier of local model shop.
Isopropanol Alcohol (IPA) 99.9% proof. eBay

As Brian has said if the set has steel track then it will need careful restoration. Although all track needs cleaning, steel track will require a greater effort especially if the layout is used in places like a garage, shed or loft subject to more moisture than inside a house.

If you opt to replace the steel track then you need to look at the value of what is left. You may not like what I say next but before you expend a lot of energy in maintenance explore what might be achieved auctioning the set. If your set has its original box and that is in good condition and the whole set though used is in good condition or almost new condition it may have more value to a collector.

Of course you may be sentimentally attached to it and I suppose that always trumps other options and therefore willing to make the effort but, it is always good to explore all options.

Richard

Thanks for the replies and advice very useful, yes it is steel track will have a go at cleaning the rail and loco, will not rush to make a decision on its future a few weeks won't hurt seeing its been up the loft for over 40years,again thank you all