Track Cleaning Cars

[mmmbeeer]

Some of my track is really awkward to get to so I'm thinking of getting one of these cars. What are peoples opinions of these, do they work, which is the best? Should I get one that vacuums as well?

[Essex2Visuvesi]

the cmx track cleaning car seems to be popular (if expensive)
http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product ... ts_id=1071

Slightly cheaper but equally well regarded
http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product ... ts_id=4475

Hornby also sold one years ago... the R344 track cleaning car the can be found on ebay for about a fiver, there is also the R296 coach that sells for about the same price

many people make their own. I did an N gauge one using a box wagon and the Gaugemaster GM39 cleaning pads

A quick seach found this little lot
http://www.gaugemaster.com/search_resul ... rentpage=2

[mmmbeeer]

I'm leaning towards the Dapol one, Hattons have them for £52 on pre-order. If anyone has used one I'd be glad to hear what you think, or of any other models too.

[poliss]

Home made track cleaning car. http://wpporter.duckburg.us/trackcleaner.htm

[james2k]

I would say the CMX is the better of the 2 (Dapol and CMX)

I personally have the CMX and would (if I had the money) Buy a second.

[sishades]

I get my butler to clean my track for me. G and T anyone?

[mmmbeeer]

Home made track cleaning car. http://wpporter.duckburg.us/trackcleaner.htm

I might try that, it looks simple. Got just the right wagon for it, and it was given to me, so could be a nice cheap solution.

[mmmbeeer]

I get my butler to clean my track for me. G and T anyone?

I never thought of that Ice and a slice please

[sishades]

Actually I was telling a porkie....my butler is too busy cleaning my ferrari instead. Anyhow, I have a CMX, the Dapol unit with a motor built in and two of the old Hornby models. The CMX weighs a tonne and requires a large hefty powerful loco to pull (preferably a Hornby class 50). This is an excellent cleaner of said rail. The Dapol is not too brilliant but does come complete with a fine sanding pad (a big no no really for model tracks) whereas the old models are cheap and cheerful. I have added some weight by plonking heavy screws into the wagon.

One point of note is that the CMX is a HO wagon and as such sits lower on the track than a OO. I replaced the wheels with OO ones and now it sits too high. Thus some major butchery / minor adjustment (delete depending on amount drunk the previous day) is required.

[abenn]

I've had the CMX for a few years now. Despite it being HO gauge, I've never had any problem with it on my Hornby/Peco trackwork. It is heavy, with quite a bit of drag from the cleaning pad, but my Bachmann class 66 or 37 haul it without any problem.

[pete12345]

I've had the CMX for a few years now. Despite it being HO gauge, I've never had any problem with it on my Hornby/Peco trackwork. It is heavy, with quite a bit of drag from the cleaning pad, but my Bachmann class 66 or 37 haul it without any problem.

In operational terms, HO and 00 (as well as 0n30) are identical

I've experimented briefly with a hornby track cleaning car and, well, it's awful. The home-made cleaning car looks interesting, and unobtrusive enough to be run in regular trains to keep on top of track dirt.

[Peterm]

CMX for me too. I push mine with a large diesel as it heavy. I use IPA in mine... not the beer.