What's the best track cleaning car in your opinion?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering which track cleaning car is the best. Seems that the ones that use alcohol-based solutions on a pad-type applicatot would get a lot more of the grime and deposits off than the abrasive types. Just wondering what others' experience has been.

[Fergmiester]

I asked the same question about a year ago. After listening to many people I opted for the CMX tank cleaning car from Tony's. I use GooGone in the car and it does a wonderful job.

[Anonymous]

Concur with Fergie and they use it on the Chgo MSI layout with 99% alcohol.
http:///www.tonystrainexchange.com/gallery/cmx/cmx-01.htm

[rexhea]

[#ditto]

I have had very good luck with the CMX track cleaning car. I used laquer thinner in the beginning which did a great job, but it was pointed out to me that it leaves an oily film. Now I use 91% alcohol or better and it does very good, evaporates fast, and very little smell. Haven't tried the GooGone yet.

[Tom Eisentrager]

Very pleased to see the comments so far - only just ordered one from Internettrains. Now very hopeful of good results. Not real cheap.But hopefully " you get what you pay for"

[Anonymous]

It's a very functional , good looking heavy car. Just have to decide the best liquid cleaning
fluid. The car carries a good reputation and it's good enough to do 1700 feet of Chicago MSI track . I even think Tony may give you a try out basis but you eat the postage both ways if you are not satisfied. I traded up from the centerline.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have links to where one can order one of these?

[Anonymous]

question: do you have to use the cleaning pads Tony sells or can you substitute something else that's just as effective and save a little cash?

[Anonymous]

Jamison1: see locomotive3's first post above. It has the link for it

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by yankeejwb

Jamison1: see locomotive3's first post above. It has the link for it

Thanks Yankee, I must have been reading to fast[:D]

[retsignalmtr]

none of the track cleaning cars does a complete job of cleaning track. they do leave a residue which is picked up by wheels. nothing replaces a bright boy and a rag with track cleaning fluid wiped on and then wiped off. i use a homemade cleaning car with a masonite pad sliding along the railtops. it picks up a lot of dirt and will make having to clean track a lot less often.

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by yankeejwb

question: do you have to use the cleaning pads Tony sells or can you substitute something else that's just as effective and save a little cash?

The material that comes with Tony's car is just corduroy fabric. You can go to any fabric store and get some scraps for a little change. [:)]


With a regular weekly cleaning schedule, I seldom find any need to use anything other than the CMX car. It's perfect for getting to hidden track and just running around behind a GP7 while I do other things. A masonite pad and alcohol does work very good and I will use it or a bright boy for stubborn places.

REX

[twhite]

I've got a garage layout, which is partially uninsulated, which means I get dust during the summer, so a liquid track-cleaner is pretty much out of the question. I've used a Brite-Boy with a lot of success (after vacuuming the layout) and the Walthers car with the abrasive pad on the bottom seems to work pretty well, also. But I still say that the best track cleaner in the world is to run your trains, and frequently.

[aluesch]

QUOTE: Originally posted by retsignalmtr

none of the track cleaning cars does a complete job of cleaning track. they do leave a residue which is picked up by wheels....

Not if you use the LUX track cleaning car. No cleaning fluid required and together with the LUX wheel cleaner keeps my layout clean. You can check it out here: http://www.mrsonline.net/

Regards,
Art

[cacole]

Who in the US sells that LUX track cleaning car? From their Web site, it appears to be purely European with no U.S. dealerships listed.

[Don Gibson]

They ALL work - especially if they have a 2 step applicaton and pick up. If you dissolve the dirt with any solvent into a suspension,without 'mopping' it up, it will re deposit .For example: Our club uses two Centerline's - one with solution followed by one with a dry roller.

I defer to WNanney who tested out several of the TOP brands and gave excellent report's. They ALL work - but some did better than others.

BILL?

[railman]

my, that LUX system looks cool, but I know our brands here work pretty well too.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson



I defer to WNanney who tested out several of the TOP brands and gave excellent report's. They ALL work - but some did better than others.

BILL?

Don,
I have never seen Bill on this track , yes Bill gave a very complehensive hands on review on
the Atlasrr forum back in October 03.
It covered the Annihilator,www.aztectrains.com for $125.00

Considering Tony cleans 1700 feet of track over at the Chgo MSI and my personal satisfaction with Tony, if you got the $99.00, and money isn't tight, why not.
It need not be expensive to clean track/loco wheels.
I still use the old fashion hand method, MAAS metal paste polisher for four bucks a pop.

[darth9x9]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

I asked the same question about a year ago. After listening to many people I opted for the CMX tank cleaning car from Tony's. I use GooGone in the car and it does a wonderful job.

[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto] It is a no brainer.