High frequency track cleaning

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Something I've not seen in our guage is the high frequency track cleaner that you get in the smaller guages, is one available? I have one from my N guage days that operates off the16v ac terminals of the transformer with the 12v dc going through it as well, would this be ok or would it interfere with a 'Train Engineer' - on track control. We use, on average, 22v dc so would one be adaptable for the higher dc voltage? Is there none available because we run outdoors and it would be in permanent zap mode?
Questions, questions. Come on you electronic guys...........................
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[cacole]

It's my understanding that those electronic track cleaners for HO and N scale put a very high frequency AC current on the track which would really raise havoc with anything electronic such as the Train Engineer. Such cleaners are advertised as suitable only for conventioinal DC powered layouts.

The theory behind the electronic track cleaner is that it burns the dirt off of the track by creating a spark between the rail and metal wheels as a train runs around the layout. This might be a short-term solution to track cleaning, but can eventually destroy the wheels of a locomotive or piece of rolling stock with metal wheels and interior lights, such as a passenger car, because sparking pits wheelsets.

I thought about purchasing one of those electronic track cleaners and connecting it to the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's 20x40 foot HO-scale layout, until I read the literature and saw that it had a limited range of something like 20 feet of track. I thought that the cleaner could be turned on when the layout was not being operated and this would clean the rail, but that's not how they work. The manufacturer's literature also specifically warned that it was NOT suitable for use on a DCC layout because it would burn out the decoders.

[Anonymous]

Hi Charles,
Agree with you about the ac high frequency and DCC layouts but with track control via 'train engineer' the circuitry would be between the 'engineer' and the track and so on the controlled dc side of the 'engineer' and the high frequency would - I think - be unable to back track through to the 'engineer'. I used them for years on my N guage and never noticed any apreciable pitting on wheels even though the red (working) light was on a lot and I don't recall anything about maximum distances. With the size of our wheels compared to N and even though there would be a bigger spark..........I do wonder. I will make some manufacturer enquiries and get back to you all. ASnybody else got any views?
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Just had an e-mail back from Guagemaster telling me that the HF operates at 1 amp and is not effective outdoors.
Ah well, back to the old fashioned way.
QUESTION:
I'm sure someone out there has tried/uses the Aristo track cleaning car - any good?

Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

Thought I'd bump this up to the top again to see if anyone is using the Aristo track cleaning car.And to paraphrase Kim ,is it any good?
Troy

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kimbrit

Hi guys,

Just had an e-mail back from Guagemaster telling me that the HF operates at 1 amp and is not effective outdoors.
Ah well, back to the old fashioned way.
QUESTION:
I'm sure someone out there has tried/uses the Aristo track cleaning car - any good?

Cheers,
Kim

Hey Kim,
The grocery store layout I maintain uses an Aristo track cleaning caboose. Needed to take the lead weight out of the cleaning pad or it would have worn the track down. Does an OK job inbetween wipe downs of the track. Definately helps but it's not the answer. That's why guys like Marty Kozad who have a few miles of track run battery power. Later eh...Brian.
[:D]

[Anonymous]

I USE A TRACK CLEANING CAR, BUT I USE A THIN GREEN SCOTCH BRITE PAD ON IT , ALSO I HAVE A SANDING BLOCK WITH A HANDLE ON IT AND USE A GREEN SCOTCH PAD ON IT,I HAVE BEEN USEING IT FOR OVER TWO YEARS I CHANGE THE PAD , 2 TO 3 TIMES OVER THE SUMMER ,OR WHEN IT WEARS OUT. I GET THEM AT K-MART OR LOWE'S [:)] BEN

[Anonymous]

I bought the LGB track cleaning attachment that mounts on the underside of their small coaches. It does OK, but the simplest and most cost effective method I have found was to attach a LGB track cleaning block to an old sponge mop handle. I get a five minute workout and my track is good to go.

[Anonymous]

Cheers lads,

Looks like the only high frequency here is the increased heart rate due to physical exertion caused by that track cleaning thing.

Troy,
we'll have to bribe kiddies to do it or teach the cat!!!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kimbrit

Cheers lads,

Looks like the only high frequency here is the increased heart rate due to physical exertion caused by that track cleaning thing.

Troy,
we'll have to bribe kiddies to do it or teach the cat!!!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

We have plenty of cats here! Just tie one on to the broom handle and away you go! Oooops...don't let Rene see this! She's a kitty lady alright. Seriously though I don't think we will ever get away from this necessary "duty" as long as we run track power. Later eh...Brian. [:D]

[Anonymous]

It's a real shame that brass is not magnetic.After reading your post Kim I had a wonderful vision of Stitch The Wondercat with magnetic trackcleaners attatched to her feet shuffling her way down the track.
Obviously I would have to manually go out and change the points.Otherwise she would get bored on the same route.I would also leave one paw free so she could have a go at a few moths on the way!
Only joking Rene.It's much easier to attach her to a pole and push her[:-^]

[Anonymous]

Oh, are you running streetcars under your live cat?

In general, a machine that does a job for you doesn't do as good a job.

My preference is for battery or live steam. Or solar... hmmm...

[Anonymous]

Troy, Brian,

Moggie power, interesting thought. Claws can clean the grit out between point blades. Rough tongue to clean the c**p off the track and a final polish with the tail.
Seriously though, where do you stick that pole??[%-)][:-,][(-D]
Rene [;)]
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[tangerine-jack]

Why all the talk about cats? Cats are lazy, I've got raccoons ready for export, they are larger and can clean more track faster, and do all their work at night so in the morning you are ready to roll with clean shiny rails. They also are very smart and can be easily trained to pull a track cleaning car or do minor repairs to turnouts. Virginia raccoons can thrive in the damp conditions of the UK, eat only trash (rubbish), and require no owner maintenance. I will gladly send you a dozen on request.[oX)]

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kimbrit

Troy, Brian,

Moggie power, interesting thought. Claws can clean the grit out between point blades. Rough tongue to clean the c**p off the track and a final polish with the tail.
Seriously though, where do you stick that pole??[%-)][:-,][(-D]
Rene [;)]
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

Kim,
Now that we're off topic...my brother in law's favorite story is of playing bag pipes using a cat. Put a cat upside down under one arm holding the paws together...one set in each hand. Have a friend put the cats tail in your mouth so you can play. By this time the cat will will be howling horribly...MUSIC!. Next squeeze the cat with your arm in order to change pitch. Wonderful...well done. When finished your tune carefully let go of the cat being cautious to not get clawed. When the cat hisses at you...and it will...tell it to be quiet or else next time next time IT'S CLEANING TRACK!!! Here kitty kitty. Later eh...Brian. [:D]

[Anonymous]

T Jack,
I don't think the UK is quite ready for raccoons just yet. How long before a dozen become half a million?

Brian,
I would rather stand next to a rail grinder (12" to the 1') without ear protectors than listen to bagpipes. Just a personal view you understand!!

There was a wonderful cartoon book out a few years ago, Rene I am truly sorry here, entitled 'A Hundred & One things to do with a dead cat'. It mainly involved stretched out moggies being used as car window blinds, back scratchers etc etc. Very funny.

I reckon that's me kicked out!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[bman36]

Kim,
I read that!!! There was a sequel as well called "101 more uses for a dead cat" Very funny book. I could hear all the cat lovers all over the country going "Awwwwwwwwww...poor kitty" Guess I'm gone now too. Anyhow...getting ready to lay my track here in the next week or so. Then it will be my turn for track cleaning. Figure on using the Drywall pole / sander with the scotchbrite pad for major cleaning. In between I will use the same with a pad and GOO GONE to keep it shiny. We'll see how it goes. Later eh...Brian.

[kstrong]

Actually, the cat lovers are saying "make sure the cat's claws are trimmed, or you get what you deserve." You think an x-acto knife cuts deep when it slips? Lord, what fools these mortals be. (Actually, some friends wanted bagpipes at their wedding, and I told them I'd bring my two cats for a fraction of the price...) I'm one of the few that rather enjoys the occasional bagpipe serenade, but I'm convinced that pipe bands need to expand their repetoires beyond "Amazing Grace" and that other song.

Back to cleaning... I know people who swear by the LGB track cleaning loco, but I've always found the old "Scotchbrite on a drywall sander" to be the simplest, most effective track cleaner there is--even for those of us who don't run track power. It does a great job of knocking the grit and dirt off the top of the rails, so the trains roll smoothly right after a rain, or after the sprinklers come on.

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

Just to check an important point.How long does it take a cat to grow back fur.If it takes more than a week then there is no point in using the cat.Maybe I'll have to use the old fashioned method.
Now,where is that rabbit [:-,]

[tangerine-jack]

Raccoon fur sticks to the animal very well and grows back quickly; you can use one over and over again for track cleaning or other uses. You sure you don't need any in the UK? I will gladly send you the ones living in my back yard.[oX)]

[Anonymous]

Brian,

One of my favourites was two cats being used as snow shoes and the tennis one.....howled at those. I'm going to look out for them in the second hand book shops.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kimbrit

Brian,

One of my favourites was two cats being used as snow shoes and the tennis one.....howled at those. I'm going to look out for them in the second hand book shops.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

Kim,
I will definately keep an eye out here for them! Ya' never know. Here kitty kitty...Later eh...Brian. [;)] [:D] [:D] [;)]

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Love this forum. I know that we are way [#offtopic] but that's how I like it. Started off talking about electronic track cleaning and ended up with Troy looking for a rabbit, T Jack starting a raccoon exporting business and Brian and me exploring a total of 202 things to do with a dead cat!! We've also touched on bagpipes, railgrinders and skating cats with magnets for skates.
Truly wonderful.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

Guys, your hillarious! Havent really followed this post clicked on it when it went to page two. This is the same humor another friend of mine and I have. Honestly though some thing tells me Rene is missing this.
Besides I love cats...They taste just like chicken! My cat Kimmy earns her keep by getting rid of mice and voles. She just has a nasty habbit of tearing up my screens, she jumps and hangs on the screen of a room she knows is occupied by a human and meow's until some on opens a door to let her in.
Have to rescreen all my screens this winter.

[grandpopswalt]

Man, you guys have touched on most of my least favorite things in life. Bagpipes..... my fillings actually begin to hurt when I hear one. Racoons, not to mention squirrls and the odd skunk from time to time are constantly causing disruptions in our yard. The coons are in the garbage and the other two are constantly digging up the lawn. Now as for cats, I'm no great fan of the species but I must admit I do have a grudging respect for their aloofness. And they're pretty smart too. I don't think anyone has ever been able to get a string of them to pull a sled.

You know, maybe we should move this thread over to the Coffee Shop section.

Walt

[Anonymous]

Again totally off topic.Since someone mentioned squirrels I'd thought I'd mention something I saw early the other morning.
After blaming the cat for using the elevated bottom section as a walkway (with dirty feet)
I saw a squirrel calmly wander along,bury something behind the station and then retrace it's tracks (no pun intended) At this time Stitch (I'm not afraid of anything) The Wonder Cat was sitting in the middle of the lawn watching.
The children have renamed the cat,Stitch The Weedy Cat.(As moths are smaller than me but I'm not sure what that big furry thing is.If I just keep an eye on it,it might go away.)
Troy

[vsmith]

You guys should always remember that Mark Twainn said one of the WISEST statements I've ever heard...

"A Man who sets out to carry a Cat by its tail will learn a lesson that will remain with him all the remainder of his life, and will never grow dim with age"

I never new Twainn was a Zen Buddhist...

[Anonymous]

You blokes havent seen anything untill you have seen an Aussie, Goanna (2metre long relative of the monitor lizards). It will clean your track, take it with it when it goes and mate with your favourite loco all in one go. It eats roots and leaves, poms will understand but yanks will not.

Seriously I have an LGB 20670 track cleaning loco and it is the best thing, does a terrific job cleans my 65 m in about ten minutes really well. Then I use it as a general purpose loco pulling a goods (freight) train when it isn't cleaning track. It is bright yellow in colour and its sound sytem is a wonder to behold.

Regards


Ian

Ps remeber what i said about words being rude in one country but not in another and Rene should know all rude words everywhere to properly control things.