The CMX car is fine, but you still have to manually (finger) clean tough spots.
Rich
Alton Junction
SeeYou190 I finally bought mine a few months ago. Now all I need is a layout to run it on. -Kevin You're welcome to run it on mine if that would be of help! Joe
I finally bought mine a few months ago.
Now all I need is a layout to run it on.
-Kevin
I have the Centerline roller cleaner, never gets stuck.
I started using the rough side of masonite I cut and run along the tracks myself. Very easy. I like the results too. No chemicals needed.
I got my CMX car on the cheap (compared to some prices quoted here) at a train show. Absolutely love it.
My track cleaning consist is a CMX car, a Centerline "mop-up" roller car ran dry, and a sliding pad Walthers car.
I use 91% alcohol, and after just 2-3 passes, everything runs smoothly. I do not need to manually clean tracks, nor do I need to clean with the CMX & consist every time I fire up the layout.
Those who resort to "manual cleaning" spend time doing it, before they can run trains. With my track cleaning train, I can run trains while cleaning the track.
I feel my time is important, and worth something, so anything that saves me time and allows me to run trains faster is well worth the money in my opinion. Too many people feel that cheaper ways are the best, but do not count their time as a valuable expense, and if they did, the cheap way turns very expensive in a hurry... Sometimes spending the money up front saves expense (and time!) later.
I treat car maintainance the same. While I could do my own oil changes, tire rotation and changes, etc..., the time spent doing it is a expense. Plus the agravation of doing it in the driveway, exposed to any weather, etc... The neighborhood mechanic has the proper tools and equipment, a roomy workspace protected from the weather, knowledge and know-how, and can get it done quicker than I can because of having a lift, etc... So spending the money for him to do it is worth it in my book.
Yes, each must decide for themselves on if their time is of value. I feel mine is, and will happily spend a few dollars extra now to save my far more valuable time later.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Had a Centerline, didn't like it as itwould get stuck on occasion by the pad catching a point (no the turnout was not bad but the pads they use can get cought if the point moves up ever so slightly, well within tolerances of tunning trains). I also use a bright boy with no ill affects but then I have a home layout.
I use the CMX car like yours filled with 99% alcohol , followed by a flatcar, then a Centerline Roller Cleaner car. The Centerline car picks up a ton of gunk the CMX misses. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7dBx3mSYUBQ
SeeYou190 I have not even tried out my CMX car yet. I decided to buy it entirely on the positive things I heard about them. -Kevin
I have not even tried out my CMX car yet. I decided to buy it entirely on the positive things I heard about them.
Living the dream.
Leva da gun, taka the CMX and da cannoli.
Do yous guyz like running trainz, or do yous like cleaning rails when it seems you must? Me, I like running da trainz, an' I can do dat when I run the CMX car behind my prized Y6b. Get two t'ings dun da same time. But, yous gotta do what yous gotta do.
Different strokes for different folks for cleaning cars. I don't mind cleaning track and haven't done it in awhile since focused on the scenery and wiring. Whenever time to do it, will use masonite.
Call me cheap, but can't stomach paying $150+ for a cleaning car, esp. when there are far, far less expensive options. Others can debate the most cost-effective approach. Again, do what works and whose to say otherwise.
I hope people don't get turned off to the hobby in reading you need to pay such prices just to clean tracks.
mbinsewiCrazy car is over $250. now on Ebay, , no thanks!
As usual, actual selling price on eBay is lower.
mbinsewiKevin: For what a new one cost, you could be like RR's do and lease yours out!
I would need to find it first!
I paid less than $140.00 (Buy It Now) for mine.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
JDVassI let her go and spend my time running trains while this unit does the work. Quick, easy, and extremely effective.
How hard is the CMX car to pull?
I have a pair of Athearn SD-40s that I plan to wire together (for 24 wheel pick-up) to pull my track cleaning train. The train will be the CMX car, two idlers, a wiping car, two masonite block gondolas, and a caboose.
Should this get the job done?
The 'problem' with a Brite Boy is not that it doesn't work, and very effectively too, at removing schmutz and detritus from railheads. It's that it introduces a thousand irregular asperities for microarcing, creates innumerable nooks and crannies for new dirt to settle, and screws up any 'gleaming' that might have been done.
At the very least, use the 'washer trick' after using a Brite Boy, to knock down the worst of the sharp little raised edges you've created. Better still, carefully use a couple of progressive fine grades of lapping film to bring the surface finish back, then burnish if so inclined. After that you'll have railheads that don't hold crap well, and that will cause arcing as little as possible.
I haven't conducted the necessary careful research, but it stands to reason that microarcing damage from Brite Boy use will show up as pitting and other damage on metal wheels. A sufficiently damaged and dirty tread with substantial current going across it might 'offset print' microarcing damage onto even the best superfinished rails...
i glued a piece of masonite to the back of a brite boy. the masonite presumably doesn't leave groves and i believe actually smooths them out along with pits
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
snjroy bmtrainmaster I use an old sock to clean my track. Its easy and FREE! Same here. I don't even bother putting any liquids anymore. Simon
bmtrainmaster I use an old sock to clean my track. Its easy and FREE! Same here. I don't even bother putting any liquids anymore.
I use an old sock to clean my track. Its easy and FREE! Same here. I don't even bother putting any liquids anymore.
Simon
JDVassThe Clean Machine is $169 at Tony's Train Exchange.
Thanks, but no thanks JD.
I will join you with a bourbon!
Happy track cleaning.
Mike.
My You Tube
I got a CMX from before they were called this (used to have another name when first built). Best solution is 91% alcohol. Never use rubbing alcohol as it has oils in it and leaves a residue. Only thing of note is that you need a strong engine to pull it or multipuls.
bmtrainmaster I use an old sock to clean my track. Its easy and FREE!
I use an old sock to clean my track. Its easy and FREE!
I built myself a track cleaning car from a masonite pad kit I found on eBay many years ago. Put it in an MDC boxcar that fits my prototype era and area and it works quite well. For smal areas or spots where the cleaner doesn't work (namely my scratchbuilt crossings), I use a good old pink pencil eraser. Works quite well in getting gunk off.
Edit: 2,100th post on the Forums.
Hand rubbing gets old with over 1,000 feet of mainline, branches, passing tracks, spurs and yards. The CMX cars work well but they need to be refilled from time to time. We don't have llamas available to provide cleaning fluid but I know of an alpaca farm. Will that work?
I posted this as a brief review of a product that I like, and think works extremely well. If you don't want to spend the money to get one, that's fine. I'm never going to disparage someone for not spending money. If you enjoy cleaning track manualy, that's great too. If you want to build your own, that's awesome. There isn't eough builders out there anymore. Same with what you use to clean. If you find lama urine on a snotty kleenex works the best for you, excelent.
However, if you are like me, hate cleaning track with a rag, and want something that (in my opinion) works better than a Walthers track cleaning boxcar, this may be for you.
I let her go and spend my time running trains while this unit does the work. Quick, easy, and extremely effective.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm busy cleaning track and need to go pour myself a bourbon. A railroaders work is never done.
mbinsewi Crazy car is over $250. now on Ebay, , no thanks!
Crazy car is over $250. now on Ebay, , no thanks!
The Clean Machine is $169 at Tony's Train Exchange. I avoid Ebay like the plaue now a days. Too many clowns smoking way too much weed before they decide on prices and shipping charges.
Why not make your own?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VslvfBWkVBc
Another option is using rubbing alcohol on a terry cloth (similar to the kind used for cleaning glasses)? I do it and it's fear cheaper than the $200+ option.
Hello All,
OK...
Here we go- -Again!!!
An article published in the current NMRA magazine; April 2023, titled "Track Dirt Science"; pg. 22-29 (Not an April Fools joke!) examines track fouling and cleaning from a quasi-scientific perspective rather than an experienced-based- -"This is what 'works' for me."
The author examines what track sludge is comprised of and how it can physically inhibit reliable operation.
Analysis of this track sludge is examined under an electron microscope to break down its composition.
Different cleaning solvents are also examined, along with application.
Both the CMX track cleaning car and the Centerline track cleaning car are discussed along with the use of Masonite pads for "scrubbing" the rails.
One note the author emphasizes is eschewing the use of abrasive pads; "Bright Boys" et al, to avoid micro-scratches that exacerbate the buildup of track sludge and what he calls "Wheel Cheese."
How to build a continuous wheel cleaning station is also outlined.
The two (2) most common methods of rail cleaning are examined- -"Wet" vs. "Dry."
I have been using Aero-Car Hobby Lubricants "ACT-6006 Track & Rail Cleaner," which purportedly leaves a conductive residue, which falls under the "Wet Method" category according to the author.
The author's conclusion was that the "Dry Method"- -using denatured alcohol- -removed the track sludge most effectively, and did not contribute to future attraction of track sludge.
I use a Dapol B800 motorized track cleaner ("Motorized" refers to the vacuum impeller in the unit) not its ability for self-propulsion. It also has a reservoir for cleaning solution that drips onto a sponge pad rail wiper.
A transfer caboose has been fitted with an A-Line #10003 - HO Scale Track Cleaner Kit with Masonite pads is also in my arsenal of track cleaning cars.
Included in my MOW track cleaning train is an inexpensive plastic reservoir car, similar to a CMX car.
A Roundhouse 60-ton Box Cab locomotive; fitted with track-cleaning pistons/plungers on each end, is also employed. The pistons can be fitted with abrasive or felt pads, I use felt pads.
This unit is self-propelled with extremely low gearing. It's noisy and slow but gets the job done. I've converted it to DCC operation.
The conclusion of the author is the "Dry" method- -using denatured alcohol- -along with multiple cleaning cars provides the "best" results.
After reading this article I switched to denatured alcohol in all my cars with reservoirs.
After the first run of my track cleaning train with the new solution I noticed a vast improvement in reliable running.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
MisterBeasley Years ago, I went to Gulliver's Gate, an international modeling exhibit that had a loop of HO scale trains running around each modeled area. Each train was prototypically correct for each continent, although I kept noticing the odd Rio Grande or Canadian National boxcar in every train. I tracked down the exhibit's train guy, who explained they were Walthers track cleaning cars, but they hadn't been re-badged yet. For their operational model, just running those cars all the time worked fine.
Years ago, I went to Gulliver's Gate, an international modeling exhibit that had a loop of HO scale trains running around each modeled area. Each train was prototypically correct for each continent, although I kept noticing the odd Rio Grande or Canadian National boxcar in every train. I tracked down the exhibit's train guy, who explained they were Walthers track cleaning cars, but they hadn't been re-badged yet. For their operational model, just running those cars all the time worked fine.
I have been using the same one for a long time. Works great and is on sale on Amazon for $27.00. The pad is replaceable and I did wear one out.
Jim
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I'll keep what I use now. It woks great!
I have 2 of these, with added weights.
I think lots of track cleaning is over rated.
Run trains. The best track cleaner yet!
Keep the wheels clean.
Kevin: For what a new one cost, you could be like RR's do and lease yours out!