Peter J Thorne Track Cleaner

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi Folks,

Does anyone remember in which Kalmbach book Peter J. Thorne published his high frequency AC track cleaner circuit? And did it work like Relco electronic track cleaner?

Thanks!

Take care, Joe.

2

FYI, someone on the G-scale forum contacted Relco about their high-frequency AC track cleaner and whether or not it could be used outdoors. Their answer was two-fold:

  1. NO, it cannot be used outdoors because it does not have enough power output to clean G-scale track.

  2. NEVER connect it to a layout that has DCC control because it will burn out the decoders in any locomotives that are on the track and any stationary decoders used for turnout control; and possibly burn out the microchips in your DCC controller. For use on analog layouts only, limited to 50 feet of track.

Sorry, I can’t answer your question about the Peter J. Thorne article, but thought you needed to be aware of the pitfalls of these types of cleaners.

I was checking into the possibility of using the Relco on a 20x40 foot HO scale club layout until I saw their response about what it could and could not be used for.

3

Hi Cacole,

Thanks for the reply!

Many thanks for the warning! I would use it for an odd-ball situation of mine, not with DCC or sound systems. I have been warned off of these devices before, but I have an application for them in my unique case. I currently use a Thorne circuit for HF AC lighting. But I don’t know if there was an update to the Thorne track cleaner design and if the components he used back then are still available. I know many of his books are out-of-print.

Take care, Joe.

4

You sort of get the effect with DCC anyway - a high frequency alternating signal at full voltage on the track at all times.
This is why people have reported that they have to clean their track less once switching to DCC.

–Randy

5

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the information! Perhaps it is best (for me) to just use a capacitor as an “electronic flywheel” to ride over any problem spot on the rails. As I mentioned, I have an unusual situation.

Take care, Joe.