I thought long and hard before laying out $139 for the CMX track cleaning car. But it was the best money I ever spent. I was so sick and tired of cleaning track by hand, and crawling under the layout to nudge a stalled loco, only to have it stall again a few feet down the track. Everything runs great now. I have a large layout, 8 by 24 in an unheated garage. I have a stove to heat it when I'm in there, but it is basically unheated most of the time, and sometimes damp. I had problems with a film of corrosion, that reappeared soon after I cleaned a stretch of track. Now I just run the track cleaning car around a few times, and everything runs fine. I use two locos, and push the car, so the locos are behind the car, running on clean track.
If you are thinking about buying one, just do it. You'll be glad you did. And it probably will last the rest of your life.
Howdy.
While I model in N scale, I finally broke out my CMX car I bought a few months ago to give it a try. It worked so good I could not belive it. I have not tried any of the other ones but can only give praise about this fine product. I have never bought something that worked perfectly. What a shock it was to see it finally happen.
Ron
My vote for the CMX. When I run it with nail polish remover, the track is squeaky clean and only needs to be run once every couple months.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I have all of them and they all do certain things well.
My first choice is CMX
second choice is Centerline
third choice is Aztec
The masonite cars are good to have and run one in most trains
Johnboy out....................................and looking for ZZZZzzzzssss
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
I have been using this one since the late 80s. Works great and only 22 dollars MSRP.
Jim
I have built 4 of the Masonite track cleaning cars shown in the link, I used Athearn Blue Box Box Cars for mine, they can be run in a train and the fact they are track cleaners is almost unnoticeable; so, the job of cleaning track is going on constantly. I've also noticed that the light buffing they do, being constantly in use is gleaming my track as a free benefit. My layout is in a dusty dirty basement and cleaning is going to be needed constantly.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
AT Boothbay Railway Village we use the Centerline track cleaner cars an 70% rubbing alcohol. We run 2 cars, the first wet at the front of the train, then the second one with a dry pad to clean things up. Our building has no air conditioning, so we are affected by summer humidity when the museum is open. We used to have to clean track every morning, then we started using No-Ox, and that cut down our cleaning runs to a few times a month.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I GLEAMed my track years ago so there's no need for a serious cleaning. The only thing I have to guard against is the black stuff that results from the corrosion of nickel-silver. For that I use a single Bachmann track cleaning tank car. It's more or less the same thing as what's in Eaglescouts link. Just a dry pad that's dragged on the railheads. It does an excellent job and I see no reason to get anything more aggressive or expensive. I've been using the car for over a year and only recently replaced the original cleaning pad. Replacement pads cost less than $20 for two.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I second MisterBeasley and the CMX--worth every penny, in my opinion. I have to consist my locos to pull it, but it does the job beautifully.
Yours is a frequently asked question; do a search and you'll come up with lots of options and directional favorites.
Rick Krall
The most recommended car will likely be the CMX. I have one of these, and I use it with lacquer thinner for a solvent. It does a great job and my trains thank me by running smoothly for months.
Quality and features come at a price, though. The MSRP is now up to $140. If you watch for sales, you can get it a bit cheaper.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/6034
Unless you just want to spend money I would make one of these with directions in the link. I made one and it works great. I also rigged mine to carry a cloth pad soaked in alcohol to pick up any dust or residual dirt from time to time.
I need to purchase a track cleaning car(s) and I'm wondering which car other modelers like the best: Aztec trains cars or Centerline products cars? I model in HO. thanks