I have on order an LGB 20670 track cleaning Loco but it has been held up for a while awaiting for the sound unit to be fitted. My questions are ;- has anyone got a loco like this and what do they think of it? likewise the Phoenix sound unit.
Even more important has anyone got a combination of them both, would love to hear from anyone who can let me know what i am in for.
On to the sunglasses bit, I have come to the conclusion that it is uncool to operate garden model railways unless you wear sunglasses. You really appear to be well experienced and know what you are doing.
I like the idea of the shades (everyone says I am going to make a spectical of myself[:D]) and I am going to explore that track cleaning Loco you mentioned. Are you thinking of assembling a Maintenance of Way train or add this loco to an existing one?
That was fast, what time is it there, its 2.45 pm wed here, it must be the middle of the night over there.
I am going to assemble a new train; all my others are passenger trains, this one will be a goods (freight) train, but your idea of a track maintenance train sounds good as well. I have seen articles on a propeller type thing for trimming hedges and i do have just such a thing but it is a succulent and tropical and grows very rapidly. Also iv’e seen a watering type thing for killing weeds and i could do with that as well.
Where is Premont? I have been to Dallas, even driven down the Lyndon B Johnson freeway. The wind; to an Aussie it was awsome just blew stronger and stronger from one direction for days. We have monsoons here, strong winds but they swirl around.
If you think about your trip of thrity miles each day as 54 km it will sound even longer
We purchased the LGB track cleaning loco right after it first came out. Works fine and we are very happy with it.
We use it on our main line whose furthest point is approx. 200 feet from the basement. On first run, we usually walk in front of the loco with a small broom to get rid of debris from the trees, deer, etc.
Yes, it was pretty near 1 am when I responded to your message. I normally get up (almost like clockwork) and check my e-mail at that time, mainly for my international types (friends and relatives stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan normally are active at that time when they are active.)
I think everyone should assemble a maintenance train, one that actually maintenances track is an extra plus.
Premont is a small town of about 3000 people in the middle of South Texas. Some people call this area the Wild Horse Desert, but it is mainly arid brush country as flat as flat can be. It was founded in 1908 or so along the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad as a ranching center and depot. We’re about 70 miles or so southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas. I live in Premont and work in Kingsville, Texas (‘bout 30 miles away) as a teacher. I pass neither homes nor villages on my commute and am literally driving through the King Ranch (Running W).
Ian,
I hate to be negative but,
It works ok but it is very slow. If you have much track it will take forever.
The replacement wheels are not cheap either.
Mine has been on the shelf for several years .
I use the Trackman 2000 pushed wide open by a SD45, fast and cleans very well. Also you can use the loco for other things.
Bud
This may be so, but I think that if you had a power box that could handle the running of two trains one could run a section (freight, passenger or excursion) and then run maintenance of way section with in a safe distance one could clean their lines and switches without effort.
As for the price of replacement pads, chalk it up to maintenance cost.
I don’t know about the loco . I use a Aristocraft track cleaner car . I can say about the sunglasses that you can even wear them at nite cuz “When your cool ,the sun shines on you 24 hours a day”.
Joe : Yes I do have such a power supply, don’t forget my system works off AC and its digital, I can run as many loco’s as I like at once. Your idea sounds worthwhile and I will try it.
Bud; I have no idea what you are talking about, don’t forget I live on an island in the tropics (not a tropical island though) on the other side of the world. In the words of our infamous and failed politician Pauline Hanson “Please Explain”. What is a Trackman 2000 and what is SD45.? and this bit about opening up wide sounds interesting to me, what is it?
Mike; You are so right if you are cool you are cool day or night. However you must agree that blokes (guys) who wear sunglasses whilst operating their rail equipment do look cool, knowlegable and well experienced. People who have earned and deserve respect.
To all; what about Phoenix sound systems, hasn’t anyone got one I am paying a lot for it and I believe it is very good.
Ian,
Trackman 2000 is a track cleaning car with either drywall sanding mesh or scotch brite pads and is pushed by a locomotive.
SD45 is a 4 motor diesel loco made by Aristocraft, very powerful.
Wide open means full speed/fast.
Phoenix sound is excellent.
Bud[8D]