I'm planning an expansion to my layout that will leave parts of it unreachable by hand; as such I would like to get a track cleaning car.
The one that intrigues me most is the motorized one with vacuum, scrubbing, and sweeping functions sold by Atlas and Dapol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKMExevHZjc
Does anybody have experience with this model or have another DCC-compatible motorized cleaning car they can advise?
Also, what's a good yet inexpensive cleaning fluid to use?
I like to keep things simple, so I use the Bachmann (tank cars) and Walthers (box cars) track cleaners, They essentially drag a "Brite-Boy" with a weight on top under the middle of the car. With N/S rail, that's enough for the hidden staging tracks on the KL&B, when it's not in boxes.
Len
How about building one using an old boxcar and piece of hardboard?
Cut off a couple of nails and super glue them to the hardboard. Drill a couple of holes in the bottom of a car. When the board gets dirty, sand it off and you have a fresh surface.
(http://www.sarget.com/images/my-track-car-2sm.jpg)
(http://www.sarget.com/images/my-track-car-1sm.jpg)
(http://www.sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/my-track-car-4sm-462x185.jpg)
The motorized car was reviewed in MR a couple of years ago. It intrigues me, too
I've seen the Bachmann tank cars' cleaning pad; it seems a bit soft, has no weight, and looks like it comes apart over time. (Just as I imagine a piece of hardboard would, it looks lake the same stuff pegboard is made of)
And don't abrasives like a Brite-Boy leave scratches on rails that can become clogged with buildup?
I'm not questioning the fact that the solutions you guys posted work, I'm just wondering if a rotating polishing pad might work better?
Also, nobody mentioned cleaning fluid yet. I currently use Bachmann's Conductive Contact Lube, but its cost might get prohibitive on the larger layout.
Flare I have been using my Bachmann one for over two years now and they are still fine. I do clean them periodically as the instructions state (by throwing them in the dishwasher). There are replacement pads available but I have not replaced the first one yet.
As far as a Brite Boy goes I have only ever used it on heavy soiled track and rub gently. I actually got a tip from this forum and started using a chrome mag wheel polish (Mothers) on my rails. Works well and run the track cleaning car once a month.
Quote from: Flare on December 08, 2016, 06:05:04 PM
...looks like it comes apart over time. (Just as I imagine a piece of hardboard would, it looks lake the same stuff pegboard is made of).
LOL, no man, the hardboard doesn't fall apart...
Quote from: Flare on December 08, 2016, 06:05:04 PM
And don't abrasives like a Brite-Boy leave scratches on rails that can become clogged with buildup?
If I need to use a cleaning block, I use one that is softer than a Brite Boy; one made by Perfect for that very reason. It is yellow.
Quote from: Flare on December 08, 2016, 06:05:04 PM
Also, nobody mentioned cleaning fluid yet. I currently use Bachmann's Conductive Contact Lube, but its cost might get prohibitive on the larger layout.
You are right, it would get costly. If you wanted to go a fluid route, use Wahl's clipper oil to clean, then wipe off, the rails.
Quote from: Jerrys HO on December 08, 2016, 07:09:52 PM
...chrome mag wheel polish (Mothers) on my rails. Works well...
That makes perfect, good, sense since that stuff works great on cleaning/polishing up wheel treads as well. I find the best results if I can break down a loco's wheel set into 2 half axles and chuck the axle end in a drill and then polish away on the wheel using a little bit of Mother's on a dry or slightly damp sponge. Then a little bit of balsa wood against the tread makes it shine and takes off the gunk.
QuoteThen a little bit of balsa wood against the tread makes it shine and takes off the gunk.
Never heard that one before, I have always used cork.
Ice cream bar sticks , or something similar like tongue depressors from the doctors office, are really good at non abrasive track cleaning.
The trouble with all those track cleaning cars is that they don't do the inside of the railhead, which occasionally is important.
Capacitors are going to eventually render all of the moot..
Sometimes, I just use a plain old pink pencil eraser. It's cheap and does the job.
Quote from: Jerrys HO on December 08, 2016, 10:29:36 PM
Quotebalsa wood against the tread makes it shine and takes off the gunk.
Never heard that one before
Now you have. Re: wheel cleaning-the balsa works well bc of being soft, it cleans the space between the tread and flange very well. The metal wheel will dig into the balsa, allowing good contact.
What kind of cork do you use? Wine bottle? Roadbed? Cork-board?
I bet balsa would be a good way to clean the inside of the rail-head, if you were into that, without leaving any "shavings".
Quote from: Flare on December 08, 2016, 06:05:04 PM
And don't abrasives like a Brite-Boy leave scratches on rails that can become clogged with buildup?
The pads on the Walthers cars a "like" a Brite-Boy, but not exactly the same, and the Bachmann car pads are completely different. I've never had a problem with scratches in the rails from them causing more dirt build up. Once a month I just make one or two passes on the hidden staging track, and that's it. If I can reach it, the rails just get wiped down with a heavy duty 'shop towel' wrapped around a block of wood.
For dirty wheels I buy 'orange sticks' in packs of 100 from the local beauty shop supply house. The point on one end gets into the flange-to-tread transition nicely, and the flat end gets the tread all polished up.
Len
Somebody on this forum said that using transmission fluid as a solvent, then rubbing it off, was a good corrosion remover. Any one ever use that and what were the results?
Quote from: Len on December 09, 2016, 08:19:30 AM
I buy 'orange sticks' in packs of 100 from the local beauty shop supply house.
Len
Are these what I would call "cosmetic Q-tips"
Len? Different from most folks think of when they hear "Q-Tip" in that the 2 ends are not the same. And what are you putting on them to do the cleaning?
Quote from: Bill Baker on December 09, 2016, 11:33:19 AM
Somebody on this forum said that using transmission fluid as a solvent, then rubbing it off, was a good corrosion remover.
You are correct. A quick SEARCH of Topics here should yield the results.
The 'orange sticks' are available in different lengths, and look like this:
(http://www.visionaware.org/image.asp?ImageID=3803)
I don't put anything on them, just get the loco's wheels spinning and use the pointed end to get stuff out of the flange/tread angle, the the chisel end to clean up the tread.
Len
Transmission fluid I am sure would work, but I would think there would be better products. I would wonder what you layout would smell like after using it. Over the years, & I am over a lot of years. I have read many things work for this or that. Then you never hear anything about them again. Stove polish for painting steam locomotives. Have any of you painted a steam locomotive with stove polish. No, what is stove polish? Well it will work, but I think there are better products to use. All I can say is if you want to try it fine. If you like it, keep using it. It is not going to kill your layout. BUT DON"T DRINK IT. I had to add that for the EPA or what ever it is>
Thanks
Len. What are they made of?
Quote from: RAM on December 09, 2016, 04:49:11 PM
Transmission fluid I am sure would work, but I would think there would be better products.
Several folks have reported that one of the liquids sold for the specific purpose of track cleaning, smells a lot like Transmission Fluid. Coincidence.....?
Marvel Mystery Lube.......lol.
Sid
'Orange Sticks' are called that because originally they were made from orange tree wood, and have a distinctive odor. Some still are, but you have to check the label, because a lot are made from just about any cheap wood these days.
Len
Thank you Len.
My friend has a track cleaning car that rubs the rail with a pad. It hangs up on every rail joint, switch point, or switch frog/guard rail that is the slightest NASA tolerance molecule out of perfect alignment. I'm glad I saw that before I bought one.
If it hangs up, than there is something wrong with it. If it is a replaceable pad, it may need to be replaced or not installed correctly.
+Flare,
I have this track cleaning car in On30 and just Love it.
I only use the pads not the sand paper pads as I think this would be too abrasive, :
http://www.mnpinc.com/on30.htm
Enjoy,
Barry
*!MY FIRST POST IN 2017!*
I have heard from people who do own the Dapol Track Cleaner, that it is good. Better than the Hornby one, which is just a 4-Wheeled Coach and has been in production since the 1980's and is getting more expensive every year anyway! It's already has the RRP of £30.00, which is too much for what it is!
If I were you, I would buy the Dapol Track Cleaner.