IHC Track Cleaning Caboose

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I came along this: http://www.trainsetsonly.com/page/TSO/PROD/348-4358 . I really need a cheap track cleaner for my small layout. I also saw this used in the first Dream Plan Build DVD. It must be really good, am I right?

2

I’ve had mixed results with track cleaning cars. Since I cleaned my track with metal polish back in 06 I haven’t had to clean my track, just give it a quick wipe down once in a while.

3

If your gonna get a cleaning car. Get the CMX clean machine. It’s more expensive but it’s worth every cent.

It really works great.

Magnus

4

I’m little, on the poor side. I just want to know if this is worth 16 dollars. Thankyou for the helpful advice Lillen & Jeff!![:D]

5

We have all been there! [:D] And still are ! So I can not help you about the IHC. I still recommend saving a little each month until you can afford a CMX, or even better, your young, you don’t got kids of your own, use Jeffreys method, shine those rails boy! [:D]

Magnus

6

I bought an IHC HO track cleaning caboose about ten years ago and did not have much luck with it. The track cleaning fluid I used (Life Like blue) for some reason corroded the orifice that allows the fluid to seep onto the pad. Walthers sells a track cleaning car which is a box car with a bright boy type of pad mounted on the bottom. I have two of these and both work well if you clean off the pads after they have been used. In a previous post a it was stated that using metal polish greatly reduces the the need for frequent cleaning. Another wise investment in my opinion would be to invest in metal wheels for your rolling stock. This also will greatly reduce the amount of track cleaning required, escpecially after you have treated your track with the metal polish. The metal on metal keeps both the wheels and track pretty clean.

7

Jeff makes an excellent point here as the polishing substance removes the oxidation and slows further oxidation.

It’s not as quick and pretty as a cleaner but it will give proven results. As to Cleaning Cars I too have a CMX and yes it’s as good as it gets in the Cleaning Car category but it’s not as good as good old fashioned elbow grease.

8

Until the time comes that the cmx is affordable, I’m using the caboose AND the boxcar on the crappy almost layout that can’t get power all the way around. I couple the two together and push, and I do get better results aside from the kinks in my tracklaying. Noticeble spots where things stopped and dont after I’ve cleaned. Elbow grease is still a good thing to have though anyway you go

9

I use the CMX and find it to be the best. It is the only one that passes the white glove test. I own just about every track cleaner out there and none can get a really dirty section clean like the CMX. I use denatured alcohol for the cleaning fluid which leaves no residue or buildup. Don’t waste your money on the IHC and whatever you do don’t use any water based cleaning fluids. They create way more problems than they solve.

10

I have one of the IHC cabooses…and wasn’t to thrilled with it. For one, the pads kept getting snagged on turnouts…usually derailing the car. Two, the fluid dispenser nozzle is so tiny, that it barely lets out enough fluid to wet the pad. I had better luck with paper towels and some Goo Gone.

11

I have one of these cars and it does work fairly good. Like others have said after a while the nozzle plugs up and does not work. I usually just put some fluid directly on the pad and let an engine pull it around. I also have the Walthers track cleaning car. It works but is fairly heavy. You need a fairlly strong engine to pull it around.

12

Just bought a limited edition, IHC Track Cleaning Caboose for $13.49 at www3.towerhobbies.com

13

It came today! It works like a charm!

14

The IHC track cleaning caboose uses a piece of stone, which can scratch the rail with repeated use and cause it to attract even more dirt. Metal polish is much better for use on a small layout, or the CMX Clean Machine filled with lacquer thinner for a larger layout.

Another disadvantage to the IHC caboose is that the stone quickly gums up with dirt and just spreads it around instead of removing it.

15

I see no stone on mine!

16

NOTES FROM OUR TECH DEPARTMENT

This package contains the Ho Scale Action Cleaning Car. 

The cleaning car is compatible with ALL popular brands of HO trains and is ready to run. 

 PACKAGE INCLUDES: 1- Track Cleaning Car w/Fluid (20ml)  - Southern 

 FEATURES: 

**Ready to run scale model (exact scale length with authentic roadname) 

**Cleans track while you run your train 

**__*Car features adjustable fluid control and heavyweight cleaner pads*__ 

**Superior cast-zinc interior prohibits rusting and corrosion of the car 

**Cleaning fluid (cleans electrical contacts, leaves no film, removes oxidation    

grime and dirt, non-flammable, non-corrosive, and will not attack plastic) 

**NMRA Black style couplers and free-rolling Black wheels 

**Color: Green 

**Lettering/Numbers: Yellow- SOUTHERN, X-105, The Southern Serves the South 

**Logo: Yellow lettering set against a Green background 

**Removable cupola for filling the car (refer to instruction sheet)

Looks like it has replaceable pads.

Rotor

17

Okay, IHC has evidentally changed the product. Disragerd my earlier post if that’s the case.

18

Here’s what I have. It’s a Life Like model. I actually have a couple of them, one I use, and a NIB one that is stashed away somewhere. I’ve had these for years.

I don’t fill the tank. I just wet the felt pad with rubbing alcohol, and let it run.

Rotor