Clean track intelligently
Dust and oxidation can interrupt electrical pickup. Clean only as aggressively as necessary and avoid leaving residue that attracts more dirt.
Keep wheels clean
Locomotive pickup wheels and rolling-stock wheels transfer dirt back to the rails. Cleaning both track and wheels is more effective than cleaning only one.
Lubrication
Use only lubricants intended for model trains and use very small amounts. Too much oil attracts dirt and can migrate into places it should not be.
Inspect rolling stock
Check wheels, couplers, truck movement, car weight, and loose details. Small defects often explain recurring derailments.
Keep a Small Maintenance Kit
Useful basics include a track-cleaning method, small screwdrivers, tweezers, a coupler-height gauge appropriate to your equipment, wheel-cleaning supplies and model-safe lubricant.
Use lubricant sparingly. Excess oil attracts dirt and can create new problems.