Tired of running around by entire HO layout cleaning rail tops with a glorified eraser. I'd like to let my locos do the job, with the aid of a track cleaning car. I have a fair amount of track that's not easily accessable.
What's best for loco powered track cleaning?
- Abrasive pad or soft pad with cleaner? Or do I need both?
- How important is it to clean inside vertical surfaces of rails plus vertical rail surfaces of turnouts?
- Recommendations of the best track cleaning car(s)?
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
I can answer your last question!
I recommend the CMX Track Cleaning Car, does a great job of removing gunk from the rail and keeping it clean for a long time! Walther's has it on sale for $114.98. Worth every penny!
I also have a John Allen slider car that I run behind it!
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
SilverSpike wrote: I can answer your last question!I recommend the CMX Track Cleaning Car, does a great job of removing gunk from the rail and keeping it clean for a long time! Walther's has it on sale for $114.98. Worth every penny!I also have a John Allen slider car that I run behind it!Cheers,Ryan
CMX all the way. One of the best investments you can make on a layout. Worth every cent.
Magnus
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
Tony's CMX car, got two, one for liquid, one runs dry, they are part of a work train that I send around the mains before operating sessions.
Bob
SilverSpike wrote:I recommend the CMX Track Cleaning Car, does a great job of removing gunk from the rail and keeping it clean for a long time! Walther's has it on sale for $114.98. Worth every penny!Ryan
I'm with Ryan and everyone else on this one. I have a CMX track cleaning car and it's extremely useful. I run mineral spirits in it, since the slight oily film left on the track helps keep down sparks on the wheels. I used to use laquer thinner, but I found the squeaky clean track got dirty fast from the wheels sparking.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
Ditto here...CMX was a great investment... run it once or twice a month for 2 or 3 laps and wow, what a difference!
Brian
Here's another vote for the CMX Clean Machine. I use alcohol most of the time. It works really well and easy. I push it with a Proto 2000 SD-50.
Bill
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
pastorbob wrote: Tony's CMX car, got two, one for liquid, one runs dry, they are part of a work train that I send around the mains before operating sessions.Bob
Here's the Walthers' post for the CMX track cleaning car. I think I'd like to have one, but still have questions on how it works.
Walthers Part # 226-CMXHO, p. 229 Walthers 2008 HO Scale ReferenceHO scale, $124.95, currently in stock at WalthersThis product is on-sale today for $114.98
"Cleans and wipes solvents.." On one pass, or two passes? If one pass, does the pad have a wet leading surface and a dry trailing surface? My guess is it requires two passes to apply and wipe solvents.
"....or can be used as an abrasive type cleaner." Is it correct to assume that a different (abrasive) pad can be purchased and applied in place of the soft solvent applicator/wiper pad? With nickel silver track, do I even need an abrasive cleaner?
Thanks again,