granddad gnome
Registered
A lot of discussion has taken place at the club about the best methods used to keep a indoor layout lean, so I though I would ask what you all think.
Keeping The Layout Clean.
- Thread starter granddad gnome
- Start date
Don't over-feed it!
But seriously, depends on how big the layout is, and where it 'lives'.. A garage of loft will probably be a dustier environment than a spare room.
If possible, I would use dust-sheets, if possible. Perhaps with lift-off frames to keep the 'material' from dragging on delicate scenic items.
Outside, I would protect/remove buildings with lots of 'fiddly bits' on, and also motorised crossing gates etc. with some sort of cover.
For cleaning:
Take a tip from the museum people.. A vacuum cleaner pipe with a mesh over the end (so as not to loose small items 'up the pipe'). then use a paint brush to dust towards the vac, which is held in the other hand.
Sorry, I do not know of a way of not having to periodically clean track for power pickup.
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Are you looking at building a layout that is as low maintenance as possible or servicing an existing layout ? If already built materials used, etc'. Pictures ? Clarification would be needed to avoid a lot of irrelevant advice. Max.
granddad gnome
Registered
granddad gnome
Registered
Walls and roof are plaster boarded, I have an old type cylinder vacuum cleaner and this does the job ok most of the time. the question was mainly a discussion point and to see how others coupe with this problem
Greg Elmassian
Guest
You can adjust the brush height so as not to disturb the ballast, the action of the brush will dislodge dust nicely.
http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?...sweeper-car&catid=15:rolling-stock&Itemid=211
Greg
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Looking at the pictures, very nice layout, I would say Phillip's suggestion of the old museum trick of vacuum cleaner brush head with a stocking filter over it is your best bet. Then stick back the bits that come off. And one of those LGB abrasive pads for the track work. That's how I do the indoor section of my layout.
I used to have a large, 18'x 8', scenic Scalextric layout. Everything on it was de-mountable - track, buildings, peeps, trees, litchen...the lot. Periodically it had a teardown. Things that could be washed were washed, things that needed dusting were dusted and any repairs were effected. The whole lot could be done in a day. As originally installed, in the converted loft of my flat, it sat under the eves and had a set of wood framed acrylic covers. They lifted up and dropped down of brass piano hinges. I had a friend who was a cabinet maker. But it was conceived that way. Max
Picture shows about 40% of the track
I used to have a large, 18'x 8', scenic Scalextric layout. Everything on it was de-mountable - track, buildings, peeps, trees, litchen...the lot. Periodically it had a teardown. Things that could be washed were washed, things that needed dusting were dusted and any repairs were effected. The whole lot could be done in a day. As originally installed, in the converted loft of my flat, it sat under the eves and had a set of wood framed acrylic covers. They lifted up and dropped down of brass piano hinges. I had a friend who was a cabinet maker. But it was conceived that way. Max
Picture shows about 40% of the track
James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
That wagon mounted brush looks good. For me the issue is completely removing the leaves, which start to fall in greater number at this time of year. I have a lot of trees! Brushing leaves aside will not resolve my problem, as they will return with a vengence!
I go on my hands and knees and pick them up off the track and the area directly around the track, putting them into a bucket. I work the line and both branches from end to end. At this time of year it takes around an hour a week. I have a portable radio with me and it is surprisingly theraputic. I also use kneelers. I sometimes use an old hand brush.
When the bucket is full the leaves are placed in my 'green bin'!
When I extended my line under the trees at the bottom of the garden I had two issues: Birds roosting in the trees left messages, both on the track and on waiting stock if it was left in the loop. Animals would also sneak out at night an burrow in my ballast. Some months on and both problems have largely gone away. Thee is the odd Guano deposit to scrape away but nothing like it was in the spring. Fingers crossed for next year.
James
I go on my hands and knees and pick them up off the track and the area directly around the track, putting them into a bucket. I work the line and both branches from end to end. At this time of year it takes around an hour a week. I have a portable radio with me and it is surprisingly theraputic. I also use kneelers. I sometimes use an old hand brush.
When the bucket is full the leaves are placed in my 'green bin'!
When I extended my line under the trees at the bottom of the garden I had two issues: Birds roosting in the trees left messages, both on the track and on waiting stock if it was left in the loop. Animals would also sneak out at night an burrow in my ballast. Some months on and both problems have largely gone away. Thee is the odd Guano deposit to scrape away but nothing like it was in the spring. Fingers crossed for next year.
James
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
We have enough trouble keeping the forum clean at times
Alan-1956
Registered
Mate you could buy an outdoor Blower/Vacuum.
I have a cheap electric one and just vacuum up the leave or blow then into a pile.
Easier than getting on your hands and knee's and doing it the hard way.
Ralphmp
Registered
I commandeer the garden blower/sucker every once in a while to suck up the big stuff and then use our old "Hetty" to get debris out of point blades and mechanisms
(after 10 years of hoovering up brick dust, plaster dust, and general building mess, I guess she finds a few pine needles and holly leaves are a welcome change)
(after 10 years of hoovering up brick dust, plaster dust, and general building mess, I guess she finds a few pine needles and holly leaves are a welcome change)
Attachments
James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
That is an interesting use of an old vacuum cleaner.
Does it lift your ballast? Be interesting to know.
I have just spent the best part of a day of my hands and knees with a hand brush clearing my track. I have not been able to run since October as the leaves began to fall. I have still not actually cleaned by rails, as it is too wet, so still not fully operational.
This is usually a bad time of year for me as there are still several local leaf bearing trees shedding onto the tracks daily, but once it is finally all down and cleared I can get on with running Santa trains!
James
Does it lift your ballast? Be interesting to know.
I have just spent the best part of a day of my hands and knees with a hand brush clearing my track. I have not been able to run since October as the leaves began to fall. I have still not actually cleaned by rails, as it is too wet, so still not fully operational.
This is usually a bad time of year for me as there are still several local leaf bearing trees shedding onto the tracks daily, but once it is finally all down and cleared I can get on with running Santa trains!
James
G-force1
Prevarication Rules!
'Barney's' blarney sorted out most of the trees/leaves round here. Then the gardeners came in next door (behind) and cut the conifers . . . . . . . all over the track!!! The garden vac will shift it, but not 'til the rain clears off for long enough for things to dry out.
