Thinking about purchasing a Track cleaning car. Is there a car available that you do not have to add some type of cleaner? What track cleaning car do you use and which is the best? This one looks like the best on the market? [ 23 November 2001: Message edited by: Colonel ]</p>
THe one you've posted a pic of still wants you to add a drop or two of cleaner on the first brush after the roller. Other than that, almost any brand will do if you start with a clean track and then run a car or two of that type before or during each operating session.
You may be better off just buying a Bright Boy track cleaning pad from Walthers. No liquid needed- just a little elbow grease , and viola'- clean track.
I'm getting the one you pictured for a Christmas present from the missus Before purchasing it I had a long talk with John at Aztec, and in my circunstances, a long tunnel with limited access, he recommended the Predator. It actually comes with 3 different rollers, one is a Cratex,similar to Brite Boy, one is a Handi Wipes, which he recommends using alcohol on, and a canvas covered roller to use for final cleaning. All 3 rollers are washable. Seems really good to me. No affiliation with Aztec. Bill
I have an Aztec car, it is one of the "dry" type. It has a roller something like a bright buy in texture, which is set at a slight angle to the rails, so giving a gentle scrubbing action. It would be a long time cleaning the rails from scratch, but is not bad at keeping them clean. I think best results would be to use two, three or four of them together, run regularly. I am thinking of trying the "wet" type, in combination with the abrasive type. My track seems to need too much cleaning this time of year (winter to us, Paul)
Went to the GATS today and they had a little operating display of the Centerline cars (nscale). The track was cleaned nicely. I bought the Black die-cast model with the MT trucks. http://www.centerlineproducts.com/
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by sd9043mac: Went to the GATS today and they had a little operating display of the Centerline cars (nscale). The track was cleaned nicely. I bought the Black die-cast model with the MT trucks. http://www.centerlineproducts.com/<hr></blockquote> I have one of the brass ones with MT's listed on ebay at the moment. (Shameless plug )
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by sd9043mac: [QB]I bought the Black die-cast model with the MT trucks. QB]<hr></blockquote> May I ask how much did you pay for it? I gather this is the model you bought? This model looks good as well [ 25 November 2001: Message edited by: Colonel ]</p>
Just bought one of those brass Centerline cars last week. So far, I am very pleased. For a cleaning fluid, I have just been using 91% alcohol. Seems to be working quite well.
There are several varieties of track cleaning cars that work quite well. I have a Roco that doesn't require any liquids be added. There is also a way to make your own track cleaning cars with some nails, some 1/4 hardboard and a spare freight car or two. The hardboard (with bevelled edges) is mounted rough side down. The new nails (brads actually) connect are glued to the smooth side of the hardboard and the pointed ends inserted into small holes drilled in the bottom of the freight car. This works real well. Gravity provides the force to do the cleaning. TO clean the hardboard pad, just use a soft cloth. This makes for a nice rainy afternoons project. You can probably make half a dozen in a couple of hours!
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by BELG: What was the brand and model of the brass centerline car you bought?<hr></blockquote> The car he bought is manufactured by Centerline. You can see their whole line of track cleaning cars here http://www.centerline-products.com/ Bill
Anyone try the electronic cleaners. They look like my kind of gizzmo... no work.. but I'm curious as to how well they would clean the track.
Thanks SD90 it seems a reasoable price. Rick, I did read somewhere that the electronic cleaners work ok although some problems had been encountered if a train stalled the high frequency voltage could burn the motor. Not sure if this is fact or fallacy.
Ok, my turn to jump in. I have tried the Centerline and Aztec units. And my choice is the Aztec units. I have three Aztec units ( http://www.phcomputing.com/Aztec.htm ) and am pleased with them all. I use two methods to clean the rails. The first method utilizes an Aztec car with the new and improved wet-roller with Goo Gone (BEWARE, GOO-GONE destroys the Cratex roller) followed by an Aztec car using a wet-roller with 409. The leading Aztec car lays down the Goo Gone and the trailing wet-roller w/409 picks it up. Method two consists of two Aztecs behind the engines. The first car runs just an Aztec wet-roller and the second has a wet-roller with the wet-mop system and a magnet. In the later configuration, both rollers are dry and only the mops are wet. My Aztecs run daily.
