Battery powered track

Thanks Jon. I had seen that idea on an internet site - don't remember now where. Right now my track is a manageable size and my knees still work OK. I did order an LGB cleaning block. I also read that it was important to clean the inside of the rails especially on curves. So, in addition to my track cleaning car, I used a Scotch-Brite pad and ran it along the inside of the rails. Whichever made the difference, my RS3 now runs smoothly around the track on 12 volts.

I have also read about an LGB track cleaning locomotive that I believe has some sort of mildly abrasive wheels. Very pricey, but something I might consider - if I saved up. Have you tried this locomotive or know anyone who has?

 
Like quite a few folks on here, I do have one of the LGB track cleaning locos; yes, they are quite expensive, but they do their job well. You'll find quite a lot of discussion of them if you search the forum archives, but I think that most people that have one are generally happy with it! Mine is the yellow version that was produced before the current red type, it was factory-DCC-chipped but will also run on analogue of course.

Jon.
 
Arghh, Jon, I was afraid you would say that. I have never paid even close to what those locomotives are selling for. It will take a lot of self-convincing. Thanks though for letting me know about them.

Craig
 
I also have an LGB Track Cleaning Loco. Never been out of its Box since I moved here, but it will get used as I am getting fed up of climbing over things to get to some area's of Track. Bad planning but if I had had 10 more feet of Width in the Garden would not have been like that. Never mind.
JonD
 
seigezapf said:
Arghh, Jon, I was afraid you would say that. I have never paid even close to what those locomotives are selling for. It will take a lot of self-convincing. Thanks though for letting me know about them.

Craig
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Sorry, Craig.... ;)

Do keep a close eye on eBay (both the usual UK one and German eBay at eBay.de), you see the track cleaners come up for second-hand sale at reasonable prices now and then..... the abrasive cleaning wheels are quite easily replaceable either as Marklin/LGB spares or a Massoth-made equivalent that fits just as well, and should cost you under £20 a set.

Jon.
 
I do have a little bit of crawling, JonD, to get to all of my track, but most of it is easily accessible. I was fortunate to have lots of room for the track.

No problem Jon. I'll keep my eye out for used cleaning locomotives. I don't know that I have seen one, but I haven't been closely looking. I doubt that anyone who bought one would be selling it, but none of us live forever - probably just as well. It seems like a good amount of what is on eBay over here is from estates. Shipping from the UK or Germany can be pricey and I don't imagine these locos are light or small. Still I'll keep a lookout. Thanks.
 
Not read the whole thread, so apology if already mentioned.

Why not put the battery in a wagon and pass electricity to track via wheels? On the first thread, the battery looks small enough to be places on a wagon :D
 
Not read the whole thread, so apology if already mentioned.

Why not put the battery in a wagon and pass electricity to track via wheels? On the first thread, the battery looks small enough to be places on a wagon :D
 
Mobi said:
Not read the whole thread, so apology if already mentioned.

Why not put the battery in a wagon and pass electricity to track via wheels? On the first thread, the battery looks small enough to be places on a wagon :D
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I like your thinking Mobi, but it may have drawbacks.

You've still got to get along the dirty track, albeit only a small distance, and then you need to control the speed.

Others have put battery and speed controller in a wagon and used jumper connectors the loco - another version of battery control :nod::nod:
 
Sorry for the delay in responding. I just read your comment Mobi. The batteries I am now using are 18 volt and 24 volt (wired in series) sealed batteries for wheelchairs and scooters. They are too heavy and bulky to put in a car. I discovered that my LGB track cleaning loco would not run on less power. I do have a follow car with battery and speed control like Rhinochugger suggested.

So far the battery track power has worked well. I am no longer faced with having to power each of my locomotives with some form of on-board batteries.
 
Excellent - glad that your system is working for you. There is much written about the different ways of powering our trains but what works is what we want.
 
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