[In response to the 'Hints and Tips' section]

A poster there has recommended using wire-wool as a material for scenic work, in this case it was recommended for 'tree and bushes' but if you do so you run a real risk of it ending up in the motors of your locomotives. Even when painted it stays magnetically attractive…….

Don't ask me how I know.

 

Doug

How do you know?

I was told a few years ago, that Exhibition Managers in the UK, had refused layouts that use wire-wool as a scenic item because it can cause fires with power running through it.

 The very small chance of it falling across tracks, especially DCC was enough to stop layouts being exhibited.

It will also go rusty .........................:roll::roll::roll:

Yes, my brillo pads frequently catch fire if I wash the pans too vigorously.
(As if!).

However, steel wool is very combustible and burns incandescently.

OK - I know elf and safety is important and we should never put peoples lives at risk, but really? :???:

Has anyone any real experience of wire wool catching fire if laid across the lines?

Yes, I agree wire wool is 'flammable' but is this not one of those urban myths where people er on the side of caution - just in case?

I understand Dougs point and this makes more sense as a likelihood. 

Yours (In fear of having to play trains in a full set of protective clothes)Dave

PS - I'm off to YouTube land as there is bound to be someone somewhere thats videoed themselves doing this as an experiment.
PPS - Petermac - rust will just give your layout an autumnal look. :mrgreen:

The rust sounds useful ... scrape it off and glue it to the sides of the rails!

Hi all,
Being the person responsible for the column I feel as if I stuffed up for not correcting it  but as my wife sent me out to get some nylon scourers that looked like steel wool the other night and being a new grand dad with my mind on other things , I overlooked it. Guilty as charged.
I'm not sure about the fire causing nature of the material as such although steel wool will cause short circuits and I have just helped someone with an old Triang double ended diesel where it had obviously run run a hedge of steel wool…  We have had a couple of exhibition layouts and home layouts donated to one of the clubs I belong to with the steel wool. With Ground Foam, it is possibly more stable being glued… I'll see if the author wants to modify it if he is still contactable,

Regards
Trevor

[user=982]GreenBoy[/user] wrote:

OK - I know elf and safety is important and we should never put peoples lives at risk, but really? :???:

Has anyone any real experience of wire wool catching fire if laid across the lines?

Check out this video  http://survivial-training.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-fire-with-steel-wool-and-battery-196097/

Those operating DC layouts may be less at risk to those running DCC

I recall this from a "survival in the Outback"  course where they used jump leads attached to the battery in a car.

Hullo again, it wasn't my intention to start any controversy, rather I did not want anyone else to have the same problems as I did when I chose to use WW to clean the rails on my first abortive 'trainset' in a damp shed and to make 'bushes'….it got everywhere including the innards of my sole locomotive to jam in the space between the stator and the rotor.

 

Doug

When I was an apprentice electrician I worked with a man too mean to buy matches, he used to light his "fags" with wire wool and one of those sqare torch batteries with the terminals on top of which we had plenty on site.

The speed at which it ignites is quite startling!

OK, OK - I give in :oops:
I was under the impression that the voltage used for model railways would be too low to ignite wire wool - but if you can start it from shorting across a battery then - good safety tip.
Doofer - I also think the point you were trying to raise was most valid - stray wires will get into your loco's and this cant be good on any level.
Dave 

another don't.i used to use wire wool to rub down paintwork instead of sandpaper,it was brilliant.after a short time the painted item (a door)started to show rust spots all over it.i had to do it all again.

If anyone has the original Hornby locos with Magahesion steer clear of wire wool.

Don't use it to clean the tracks and then run a 'Magaloco' over the same track without using the likes of a vacuuum to get rid of the residue or you will have problems!

Don't ask how I know as this happened some 40 years ago…

I once used wire wool for trees on a challenger tank diorama, back in the ATC many years ago I must add,  I shaped the wire wool then put it on 9mm dowels then dipped the wire wool in green paint, worst they came to was one of the officer stepped on one and there was a permanent green stain on the doorstep in to the drill hall