check out the centerline
http://www.ida.net/users/tetonsl/railroad/cleancar.htm
K
I own the Trackman O 2000. An opinion:
A bit of background: When I set up my 14'x14' Christmas layout my rolling stock, motive power, track, and track pins are immaclulate because I thoroughly clean everything by hand before putting it all away. Come October and the new year, I lubricate sparingly.
The Trackman 2000 does an OK job but I don't have anything to compare it to. I run it for 20 minutes around layout maybe 3 or 4 times over 9 weeks. When done running it I can still wipe off a bit black from the rails if I run my finger over it. To me that's disappointing.
But I do see a cleaner and shinier rail.
If you get one may I suggest one tip. I've offered this suggestion to Hank and am, very modestly, surprised to see that he has not included it in his more recent documentation. I found several problems with the car when I originally bought it. Let me just say that I overcame all of them by tacking on a car behind the Trackman 2000. It comes out of curves bettter, it tracks better, it doesn't derail, it stays coupled, the pad stays on the rails better going around curves, and the cleaning pad straightens up better coming out of a curve. That's a lot of plusses and that's why I'm surprised Hank hasn't mentioned this simple tip.
The pad's washable and that's nice. Get some extra pads if you get one of these cars.
Not having anything to compare to I really can't rate it. But I prefer its dry pad over wetted on my Christmas layout. When I take the layout down the track and wheels are definitely in need of a good cleaning. The stuff isn't grossly dirty, but I like to put things away sparkling clean, you know?
- walt
I have two recommendations:
a) make your own. I took a flat car, cut a 'Scotchbrite' pad to fit between the trucks and over the rails a bit - drilled two screws into the deck a bit off-center - placed the pad on the end of the screws - and glued weight in the form of painted wooden blocks. Works like a charm. Here is a poor photo of it
b) Try searching for this on the other O gauge magazine's forum, and you'll find posters who enjoyed great success altering a Lionel track cleaning car.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
I have a Centerline in O gauge. It works great. The downside is that it is expensive. Ocasionally it will not get some real stubborn gunk. I have an old broom handle with a small piece of plywood attached at an angle that I fasten Scotchbrite to that I use for these stubborn spots.
Also track cleaning cars are not to parctical for cleaning stub sidings. I do those by hand.
Most track cleaning cars have one common feature. They are UGLY. I have the trackman 2000 and a homemade one similar to the centerline car. The best looking car is the Lionel M.O.W. track cleaning car. I haven't seen a review of the Lionel car to see how well it works.
Track cleaning cars work well on the main line where the trains can continuously loop. However, cleaning sidings are a pain because you have to continuously reverse directions. I generally clean all of the rails that I can reach by hand. I use the track cleaning cars for areas that I cannot reach.
Regards...
Earl Staley
Not impressed with them. I use the old rag with alcohol [hard to rach areas, I have on mounted to a stick]. I think the one John F. has is probably the best of them all. I complain about Realtrax but it does not "dirty up" like tublar and other tracks. Nickel silver, I guess.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
I got a track cleaning car in a box lot of cars I bought off a friend. Don't know what make it is but that how I got mine. I would not go out and purchase one cause some of the prices I think are to much. CTT had a article on how the make one yourself with common parts. I would go that route if you are handy
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