CMX Clean Machine track cleaner

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hello;

I just bought the Clean Mahine and was wondering if anyone else is having a problem pushing this beast around the layout. I have a Proto 2000 GP9 and it cant push it by itself. I think its the spring tension on the pad assy. I am able to MU my SW8 with the GP9 and get it to move around the track. Going up grades it still has trouble. Any help would be appreaciated.

Bill

2

I have a CMX Track Cleaner. They work great. Your PK2 unit does not have enough weight on the rails to push the track cleaner. I run mine with two PK2 GP30s with no problem. If you MU two locomotives together you should be OK.

JIM

3

I use a massive IORE engine to clean the rails. you need a lot of power to do this.

Magnus

4

I use a P2K GP9 on each end of the CMX - works fine for me.

Jim

5

I generally use two Atlas 8-40Bs or a couple of P2K SD60s. Yes, it takes some traction to drag these around.

6

Glad I’m not the only one. I thought I was raising wimpy little girlie-engines, ja?

I have subways, and the above-ground motive power won’t fit in the tunnels, so I have to MU together 2 subway engines to push my CMX around. I was thinking that MU’d subways in the modelling world probably are kind of unique.

7

I use two Bachmann SD45’s (DCC onboard) to run my CMX track cleaner and have no problems even up the grades.

Tilden

8

I can pull mine around with one loco and up 2.5% grades, but-

Its a P2K SD50, and boy their heavy units!

9

Thanks for the replys guys. Looks like I am in the market for another engine.

Thanks again

Bill

10

Bill,

The only time I have had the similar issue with wheel spin is when going back over track that was just recently cleaned. I pull the CMX track cleaning car and a John Allen slider car behind my loco and they seem to work fine on track that has not been recently cleaned.

Cheers,

Ryan

11

My problems have occurred when using something like a Bachmann spectrum 2-10-2 up a 2% grade. On flat ground I think most normal engines can do it. Ofcourse my 2% hill is also on a 36" radius curve.

Magnus

12

Yep, the car works great, but you really need 2 locos, e.g. 2 GP35’s, etc. or 1 Proto 2000. They are some of the heaviest diesel locos I have found. Try consisting with the cleaning car between the locos, and then switch their positions. The trailing loco’s wheels get cleaned at the same time as the track.

My 2 cents worth.

Joel

13

What are all of you using as a cleaning solution? I have only used lacquer thinner in mine and my BLI SW2 easily pulls or pushes it around 18" radius curves. Maybe isopropyl alcohol has greater friction?

14

I have used acetone. The odor was not bad at all. I would like to know if isopropyl alcohol is as effective, it’s probably less harmful in the long run.

Thanks, Joel