Toy train operating and collecting

I was wondering if anyone out there has the Micro model vacuum cleaner (runs off of 9V battery, or adapter) that was advertised a few issues back in CTT - does this really work to collect dust ?  Price on this was around $17 on sale.

Can't tell you about that one.  I have found that the Ionic Breeze air purifier helps a lot.  Have on in the my train room.  Have one down stairs in livingroom.  It cut down on dust on furniture.  WhenI build layout upstairs, added one in there.  Works great and cuts down on dust a lot.  Little expensive but really helps. 

I have one I bought years ago from them, I found it to be close to useless. Others may think otherwise. the little brush just moves the dust around to a different spot.

the ionic air cleaner (electroststic) air cleaners are the best at removing microscopic particles from the air. I have one built in to my FHA heating system, keeps the whole house pretty much dust free. a vacuum of any size depends on filtration and the filter you would need to collect the fine particles instead of just blowing them somewhere else are expensive. they are called HEPA rated. I have them on my shop vacs. they are about $30 each. they are cleanable and washable, made of gortex. you only have to buy it once so in the long run they are probably cheaper.

I have a small Dirt Devel with a brush.  If something is loose it sucks it right up, but I can find it if I need to.  Oops..there goes a plastic pig!

I have a 2 inch cosmetic brush that is very soft. As the train comes by, slowly, I just give it a quick dusting.

Im to cheap to buy anything, besides some cheap soft paint brushes.

ChiefEagles wrote:

Can't tell you about that one.  I have found that the Ionic Breeze air purifier helps a lot.  Have on in the my train room.  Have one down stairs in livingroom.  It cut down on dust on furniture.  WhenI build layout upstairs, added one in there.  Works great and cuts down on dust a lot.  Little expensive but really helps.

We got one of those also, as you said sure ain't cheap !!  Then about 6 months ago the state of California being what it is, has passed legislation making them illegal !!!  It appears the amount of O-Zone that they create is toxic.  (Especially if you plan on living 250 to 300 years,  I'm more concerned about global warming, so we use ours in the train room.)  It is also quite effective with smoke removal, however don't want to turn it up to high, you can get a head ache. 

dbaker48 wrote:

ChiefEagles wrote: Can't tell you about that one.  I have found that the Ionic Breeze air purifier helps a lot.  Have on in the my train room.  Have one down stairs in livingroom.  It cut down on dust on furniture.  WhenI build layout upstairs, added one in there.  Works great and cuts down on dust a lot.  Little expensive but really helps.  We got one of those also, as you said sure ain't cheap !!  Then about 6 months ago the state of California being what it is, has passed legislation making them illegal !!!  It appears the amount of O-Zone that they create is toxic.  (Especially if you plan on living 250 to 300 years,  I'm more concerned about global warming, so we use ours in the train room.)  It is also quite effective with smoke removal, however don't want to turn it up to high, you can get a head ache.

Both of mine stay on high.  HUMMM  BTW: no fan in them but if you get close, you can feel the air moving through it.  I'd have more of them if they were not so high $$$.  Hey, a new trade for me.  Smuggling them into CA.

Blueberryhill RR wrote:

I have a 2 inch cosmetic brush that is very soft. As the train comes by, slowly, I just give it a quick dusting.

I use this same method along with the "Big Bad Wolf" method*

ie* I huff and puff and blow the dust away.   

Side Note:  Dust is a major problem around here with on-going street and building construction. When not running the trains, I have a very light weight clear painters' plastic sheet covering the layout.  It is really a 'pain' to remove and recover but it does cut down on the dust....A previous post on the same subject (not sure it was this forum) mentioned that "dust" added character and authenticity to the layout....In my house, it is just "dust".

I use 2 soft make up brushes to clean off dust. A larger one for dusting structures, and a smaller one for dusting vehicles and applying blush.

The problem with brushing the dust is that all that's been accomplished is the dust has been moved, not removed. A vacuum is the only way to really remove the dust. 

Dust may not seem all that noticable on your layout, but it does dull and mute the colors. I've noticed this to be true with the autumn foliage trees we have on our layout.

Jim 

Yes, Jim, moving the dust around is not desired.  My layout dates back to around 1988 and you can imagine about 20 years of potential dust mounting up - but I haven't turned the layout to a winter scene because of it!  I periodically use a very soft "cosmetic" brush on the vehicles, buildings and such, but I sure would like to remove the accumulation on the scenery.  I think the dust has gone past just being a part of the scenery to a need to get rid of it.  I've often thought about using a hair dryer, blowing it upward and then sucking it while drifting about the atmosphere with a shop vac.  The trouble is that most of my scenery is just layed down, without the benefit of adhesion.  I don't want to blow everything or it will look like a huge nor'easter came through Lionelville.

One thing, never seen a real clean engine and rolling stock.  So, some dust is protypical.

traindaddy1 wrote:

Blueberryhill RR wrote: I have a 2 inch cosmetic brush that is very soft. As the train comes by, slowly, I just give it a quick dusting. I use this same method along with the "Big Bad Wolf" method* ie* I huff and puff and blow the dust away.    Side Note:  Dust is a major problem around here with on-going street and building construction. When not running the trains, I have a very light weight clear painters' plastic sheet covering the layout.  It is really a 'pain' to remove and recover but it does cut down on the dust....A previous post on the same subject (not sure it was this forum) mentioned that "dust" added character and authenticity to the layout....In my house, it is just "dust".

JUST IN......So much for my dust cover.....Have been boarding my daughters' cats for a few days. Came into the train room and out came a "flying" feline. She got on to the layout under the dust cover and rearranged almost everything.  Looks as though a tornado hit.  Thank goodness that I have a 3" border around the layout that kept the trains from dropping off.   (I guess that I'll live with the dust!)

Minus one cat.