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)?
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
Unfortunatly I don’t exactly have $115.00… I get by with an old “trainset quality” car, probobly IHC or Tyco. It has truch mounted couplers, so I use an Athearn flatcar as an idler, with a KD on one end and hornhooks on the other.
I meant to latch on to J. Beaver’s post on the same subject, not start my own. Guess I did something wrong. Appreciate the feedback though.
I would reccomend this limited edition IHC track cleaner. Just got one off the wonderful INTERNET!
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
This topic seems to always pop up every month or so. The best track cleaning car in the majority of people’s opinions is the CMX Clean Machine. Expensive but well worth the initial cost. I have one and it truly is a great product. Now everybody go buy one…
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.
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.
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
I haven’t used a CMX, but I really like my Centerline car.
You got two! I think investing in a DCC & Sound enigie is better!
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 Reference
HO scale, $124.95, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $114.98
| Clean tracks completely and quickly with this specially designed car. Unit applies and wipes solvents (sold separately) in one pass, or can be used as an abrasive type cleaner. Solid brass construction (except for trucks) resists most solvents. Unit weighs about one pound for maximum contact and deep-cleaning action. Special drag pads wont catch on trackwork and are easily changed when dirty. Unit comes assembled with body-mount Kadee couplers and complete instructions. |
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“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,
Bill
The way it works is it drips your cleaner onto your pad, the pad is constantly wet. If you need to take off any residue then you need to make a second pass with a dry pad in place. I usually make 3 or 4 passes with a wet pad then swap it out and make a couple dry passes. I clean my track about every 6 months or so, not because I have to but more for preventative maintenance. I make a work train out of it.