Keeping track clean is a major problem that faces any model railroader. I have gotten to the point now where my track is shiny ALL the time, but this took a lot of experimenting. 1. I run a Centerline Products rollor around with Goo Gone. As many of you know, this leaves a residue which is what the next two steps are for. 2. Next I remove the cloth from the roller and replace that with a dry cloth. I let this run around a few times. 3. Now the big trick, add alchohal to the dry pad. The alchohal evaporates fairly fast and removes the residue left from the Goo Gone. 4. I clean my engine wheels by putting a strong paper towel over the tracks and then let one truck from the engine touch the rails to get the current. I do the same thing as above: first run the loco trucks over the paper towel with Goo Gone on it, then run the loco on a dry section of the paper towel, then lastly run the engine over the paper towel with alchohal on it. This may also sound weird but CLEAN YOUR CARS WHEELS the same way. Cleaning the engine wheels and track is pointless unless you clean the wheels on your cars. I clean the wheels on the cars the same way as on the engine. If any one else has any other cleaning rituals, I would love to here and I am sure others would as well. Above is what has worked for me. Take care everyone and happy holidays! ------------------ Craig Martyn Best Looking Models Around Custom detailing AND N scale detail parts. BLMA N Scale Detail Parts BLMAinfo@aol.com [This message has been edited by Craig Martyn (edited 21 December 2000).]
Thanks for the great tip...when I get my layout up and running I'll give it a try!! Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Martyn: I run a Centerline Products roller...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I was cruising the web today and followed a link from the TrainBoard links section to Paul Templar's Badger Creek Lumber Company. In the section on track cleaning, he uses one of those skinny rollers for wallpaper seams to make a hand-held roller for cleaning the track. I was thinking of drilling out the riveted axle and replacing it with a nut and bolt. That way, the HandiWipe can be held onto the roller with a rubberband. It won't matter that the rubberband is there, since it'll be between the rails. Ed Harrison ------------------ Ed's Mental Cab Ride
Interesting Ed! The only bad part about that is that it wouldn't be able to get into tunnels. But other than that, it does look like a good idea. ------------------ Craig Martyn Best Looking Models Around Custom detailing AND N scale detail parts. BLMA N Scale Detail Parts BLMAinfo@aol.com
Thanks for adding my website, If you use the roller on a long piece of wood (As my article states) then you can get into a tunnel. unless the tunnel bends around a corner. I have also made a boxcar, which uses the roller idea, thereby any track no matter where it is can be cleaned. The "Limited Slip Roller" cleaning device. by Centerline Products. My roller in a box car does not have a limited slip function, it first rolls over the tracks, then a lever is pushed, and the roller then drags itself forever around the track, picking up dirt. Anyway, I'ts mine and not for sale. I have had this idea running on my tracks since the 1960's and it's still works fine. Come to think of it, I made mine before Centerline. No infringement of any patent rights when I made mine, was in force. Have a nice Christmas, This will be my last post on Trainboard. [This message has been edited by Paul Templar (edited 24 December 2000).]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Paul Templar: I have also made a boxcar, which uses the roller idea, thereby any track no matter where it is can be cleaned.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> We're likely to get a nasty note from Centerline. I remember when they got bent when folks were talking about track cleaning on one of the list servers. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Centerline Products has been awarded U.S. Patent #5060335, which applies to the physical product (rail and wheel cleaner cars) and the principle of a "Limited Slip Roller" cleaning device.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Please note that I (and probably the TrainBoard administration) do not support the infringement of any patent rights. I would encourage anyone to buy a genuine Centerline cleaning car, but recommend the hand roller for yard tracks and other areas where the Centerline product may not be appropriate. Ed Harrison ------------------ Ed's Mental Cab Ride
Seems to me that no-one owns the idea to use a roller to clean track. It's how we do it and for our own railroads, we can make whatever works for us. Just don't try to sell the idea or product that may infringe on an existing patent. I don't think that is what was meant here. ------------------ Robin member #35 Maberly and Tayside
No, and in fact, Centerline would probably like to have the idea of the hand roller !! As for the box car...well folks have been making box car track cleaners since the 50's. I have even built a few based on early designs ...as long as we are not marketing these things, then sharing the info is a very good thing !! Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
I guess that I'm from the old school, but I don't like to put anything on the rails that I can't take back off. I use a BRIGHT BOY block cleaner for all trackwork that I can get to by hand. I try to clean the tracks at least once a month. For the rest of the layout I use a home-built Masonite Pad track cleaning car. Plans for this car have been published in many different model railroad magazines. The pad system is easy to put together and very lo-tech/lo-cost. If anybody is interested I will describe how to build the car in another post. I also use the KADEE powered wheel cleaning brush for engine drivers. It does a good job and uses track power to do the job. ------------------ Let's Go Run Trains MARK
Hi All, I see that Craig uses "Goo Gone" with his Centerline track cleaner. I too use a Centerline cleaner but just with a track cleaning fluid as I have not been able to obtain "Goo Gone" here in the U.K. Does anyone know of an equivalent to "Goo Gone" that is available over here. I like the idea of using something like "Goo Gone" as a starting point because the normal track cleaning fluids tend to be a little slow to dislodge dirt if the track hasn't been cleaned for some time. Cheers John. ------------------ John Whitby See Swiss Trains at http://website.lineone.net/~john.p.whitby
My turn to jump in. I run four Aztec cleaning cars, two MOW boxcars, one SF boxcar and one BN boxcar. The BN boxcar is a test unit of The Monsoon which is soon to be released. It has a reservoir that can hold Goo Gone, 409 or whatever thrills you. There is a needle screw that allows a correct flow to the canvas-covered roller. My rails are always clean and polished. ------------------ Keep on Track'N at www.phcomputing.com Harold Riley
I do my track cleaning just as you describe Porkypine2. I have been intrigued with the idea of using a roller but the pro ones are just too expensive for me. No problems so far. I do spray the masonite cleaner with a cleaner that is used for electrical contacts and is sold by Radio Shack. Just keep trains running and track cleaning isn't needed as often as when a pike sits inactive. ------------------ Robin member #35 Maberly and Tayside
I use rubbing alcohol on a towel to clean the wheels of locomotives. But in order to clean the rolling stock wheels, I found rolling them back and forth on a paper towel or handiwipe didn't work well. I found that cotton dish towels (not terricloth) work great. Now, I take each car and "shop it" every so often.(I just started so not sure how often I need to do this). Let me share the steps: First, remove trucks from car. Then remove wheels from trucks. With Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol, clean wheels. Second, check wheels with standards Gauge. Reinstall wheels and trucks. Third, weigh car, add weight to bring up to standards. Forth, check coupler height. Fix as needed. Finally, mark roster sheet that car was shopped. BTW, I have a 4% grade on my layout, and after cleaning both locomotive and cars, I could get 3 extra cars up the grade with my SD-35. Clean track pays.... BTW, if someone could post how to make a masonite pad cleaner, I would appreciate it. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois)
I know you guys have been waiting with baited breath for my in-put on this. This time, it was my dad, back in 1936 when we still had the Lionel layout, dad made a soft roller and used what is called LPS today to wet the roller. So all about the same so far. The thing that makes dad's work is, he angled the roller's axel (like you would turn your front car wheels to the left to go around a corner). He had a thrust bearing at the end so the roller could rotate without binding. He used one of the little brass float cans from a four barrel auto carburator to hold the liquid, and a needle valve from a swamp cooler water supply to meter the amount of drip. The roller was several cotton polishing wheels made to shine brass, and were just spring loaded down on the tracks lightly. When he made the one for HO, he added a worm gear drive and rotated the roller, still at the angle. This was one of the articles I sent in to the Model Railroader years ago, and never got a response, nor the return of my photos and paperwork, no check, zip! They even kept my self addressed envelope and postage!! When you grow up in a precision tool room, these things are easy to make, as have been the engines. ------------------ Watash #982 [This message has been edited by watash (edited 22 December 2000).]
Watash, you should have patented those ideas! You could be rich now If you are not rich already The angled roller thing is what Aztec use. ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by porkypine52: .... If anybody is interested I will describe how to build the car in another post. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yes, do that description, please. ------- Helge SR&WF
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> quote: Originally posted by porkypine52: .... If anybody is interested I will describe how to build the car in another post. Yes, do that description, please. ------- Helge <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Please do ! ----- Helge
