Looking for something non-abrasive with some reach to knock the dust off my "gleamed" track. Read about Woodlandscenic's Railtracker on their webiste, but don't know if this is the answer. I have a CMX cleaning car, but is overkill with my smallish shelf style switching layout.
Switched over to DCC, but it sure seems more sensitive to dusty track than my previous DC layout.
Thanks and regards, Peter
My DCC, N-Scale layout is in a non- climate controlled shed in Northern California. Yet, other then cleaning the engines wheels every so often I have very little problems. More random car derailing then any other problems.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Ken,
Your layout looks real nice, you've got a lot accomplished.
My layout shares a two car garage with the family automobile, washer and dryer. This time around I gave dust control plenty of attention. Insulated and sheetrocked the walls and ceiling and had an insulated sealed sectional roll-up door installed. Also painted the concrete floor with an epoxy coating. The layout is shadow box style with it's own roof and valance. Even so, the tracks still end up with dust on them from time to time and I suspect that's from the comings and goings of the automobile.
regards, Peter
I, on the other hand, have always used paste flux and use a tooth pick to install a dab exactly where I want it. Before I paint the track and before ballasting I scrub each soldered joint with denatured alcohol inside and outside. Paint sticks perfect and no flux residue. I did it this way on my first layout also long ago and no problems. Doug
Great, I wrote this on the Cleaning Flux Thread and it came up here. How did that happen?
Peter,
I've got a WS RailTracker. It's works well, although the reach is limited by its length. It would be great if they made it so it can be extended, but that's another topic.
It comes with 4 different types of pads and only the most aggressive is really abarasive. I've never needed those. The primary felt pads are really gentle and should work well to pick up dust.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Thanks Mike,
Sounds like the Railtracker is worth a try. I've not got much trackage and the hand powered alcohol dampened rag does work, but last night after knocking another switch stand from the headblocks I thought that there must be a better way.
HO-VeloI have a CMX cleaning car
I don't see why you don't use the CMX car. If you run it with the pad dry wouldn't that be the same as a pad on a stick? And a lot more fun to run around.
Thanks Maxman,
The CMX car did a great job when I used it on my previous layout. Had to use it often back then and with lacquer thinner as the garage was not improved. The track on that layout consisted of two 15'X5' ovals of track with a few spurs and a couple of sidings so I could allow the CMX car to run around without much attention.
My current under construction layout has the yard, a siding and three industrial spurs complete so I'm thinking that cleaning the dust off the tracks is faster by hand, but maybe not. Not that I ever found running the CMX car fun, but before popping for the Railtracker I'll have to bust out the CMX car see how long it takes to do the job.
I have a pseudo CMX car. You can buy just the CMX slider assembly. I bought one of them and a friend made a bare steel flat car with a solid steel cylinder on it and I have the slider mounted to it. I normally just shove that around when I think the track needs cleaning. I have also put some alcohol on the slider cloth and used it that way. Even dry the cloth picks up a bunch of "stuff".
mlehman Peter, I've got a WS RailTracker. It's works well, although the reach is limited by its length. It would be great if they made it so it can be extended, but that's another topic. It comes with 4 different types of pads and only the most aggressive is really abarasive. I've never needed those. The primary felt pads are really gentle and should work well to pick up dust.
There is a size of PVC pipe that can be bought and pushed on to the handle to extend it. Don't know what size as all my track is within reach.
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
I have gleamed track and use a cmx car with alcohol for occasional optimal cleaning. But I added a John Allen type cleaning car to the mix snd run it often in a train or around with 2 locos and now hardly ever do the cmx supplement. The JA car is a box car with a masonite pad added. Lots of utube videos on how to make one.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
We recently got one for our club layout Elkhart Western and it does a good job. Of course since it is something new a lot of guys have wanted to try it so it's getting a work out right now. Like the previous poster said it comes with a variey of pads with different degrees of abrasion including just polish.
HO-Velo Looking for something non-abrasive with some reach to knock the dust off my "gleamed" track. Read about Woodlandscenic's Railtracker on their webiste, but don't know if this is the answer. I have a CMX cleaning car, but is overkill with my smallish shelf style switching layout. Switched over to DCC, but it sure seems more sensitive to dusty track than my previous DC layout. Thanks and regards, Peter
Peter, what I've found that works for me are the Dust Monkeys from Woodland Scenics. They are small pads that attach to the axles of cars. I run them in pairs, with the leading one wet with rubbing alcohol, and the trailing one left dry. Reach isn't an issue, because they'll go wherever a car will.
Dust Monkeys
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
cjcrescent mlehman Peter, I've got a WS RailTracker. It's works well, although the reach is limited by its length. It would be great if they made it so it can be extended, but that's another topic. It comes with 4 different types of pads and only the most aggressive is really abarasive. I've never needed those. The primary felt pads are really gentle and should work well to pick up dust. There is a size of PVC pipe that can be bought and pushed on to the handle to extend it. Don't know what size as all my track is within reach.
BRILLIANT!
Thanks for that tip, Carey/cjcresecnt! My plastic box was sitting right next to my Tracker and just happened to have a piece of 3/4" ID PVC pipe. Slides right in and holds the Tracker firmly. It's now an extendable RailTracker
Want the Ultimate in DUST BUSTERS?
Goto www.ebay.de
Type in: LUX HO GLeisstaubsauger
Gleisstaubsauger means VACUUM CLEANER: It brushes the track and ties then sucks everything up. This NEW Upgraded
JD-Berlin
I have one. It works well.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow