LGB Track Cleaning Loco's... Analogue.

dude2112

dude2112

Registered
I have asked this question here as I thought I may get more answers than just asking in the analogue section.
Can I successfully use one of these locos on a DC layout ?

Or are there different versions ?

I love the look of these locos anyway but would obviously be great if I could use it properly..

Cheers Andy.
 
Unless someone has altered the bit in CV 29 it should work fine although they are rather noisy beasts!!

I have a track cleaner, a block of wood and a sheet of emery paper!! Whoops I'll get me coat!!! :D
 
If you run it on DC do not use a guagemaster controller. They don't like it.
I had one to mend. It had already been back for a new decoder. Unfortunately the owner didn't seem to understand the warning & blew it up again.
 
i run analog.
If, by chance you have on hand several spare pin type LGB 18 or 24 volt clear bulbs, consider my experiences.

My TC loco, when hit with a sudden 24 v spike from a controller having potentiometer 'issues", blew its stock 5 v lamps-one direction only.

While I cannot specifically remember also blowing the roof flashers, i presume it did so, as i am running the 24 volt versions in red at present. OTOH I cannot say if i did this preemptively or out of necessity.

I have had this happen twice, however, once after the controller had been corrected (opposite direction and remaining 5v lamp :(). point is, a sudden spike blows the lamps

While obviously there is a loco voltage regulator, which may or may not tolerate 24v constantly,

I have, and , I suggest, that you replace the 5v lamps with 18 or 24 volt lamps in advance to avoid having this happen, if convenient, as the replacement bulbs are getting more expensive if not harder to find.

otoh, i might be grossly mistaken and overly cautious in such a suggestion.
 
;) Thanks for the replies.

I have how ever just thought..... Can I turn the cleaning part off and just run it as a stand alone loco ?

Andy.....
 
So, are there any track cleaners that work ok dc, or dcc? Or would we need to get a track cleaning car our similar car add on kit.
 
dude2112 said:
;) Thanks for the replies.

I have how ever just thought..... Can I turn the cleaning part off and just run it as a stand alone loco ?

Andy.....
Click to expand...
yes.. switch in cab.
 
1to3 said:
So, are there any track cleaners that work ok dc, or dcc? Or would we need to get a track cleaning car our similar car add on kit.
Click to expand...
yes, the lgb works fine, if its a anolog version on anolog, and the digical works on both..PROVIED they are used in conjuction with te correct power surplly as recomend by the mamnufactour
 
A great loco.

Remember to clean and lubricate around the cleaning wheel bearings on a regular basis - critical if you don't want to burn out the motor that rotates the cleaning wheels
 
If the loco is factory fitted with the LGB decoder (MTS ?) then you may need to remove this for full functionality on a DC layout. That is what I had to do with mine, bought about 9 years ago 2nd hand. Got rid of it fairly quickly - too noisy, not effective on a damp shaded track.Find an abrasive pad on a stick and a short wagon fitted with LGB springy leg thingys much more effective......and a lot cheaper. I have 35 metres to clean. watch out for plastic "swarf" build up behind the cleaning wheels, that's what really screws them up. Max..
 
maxi-model said:
If the loco is factory fitted with the LGB decoder (MTS ?) then you may need to remove this for full functionality on a DC layout. That is what I had to do with mine, bought about 9 years ago 2nd hand. Got rid of it fairly quickly - too noisy, not effective on a damp shaded track.Find an abrasive pad on a stick and a short wagon fitted with LGB springy leg thingys much more effective......and a lot cheaper. I have 35 metres to clean. watch out for plastic "swarf" build up behind the cleaning wheels, that's what really screws them up. Max..
Click to expand...


As Maxi says the track must be dry for the TCL to work.
I found the LGB sprung legs attachment under a wagon was no benefit at all.
Champex Linden do a super thick track cleaning block which is excellent.
 
I found these locos to need fairly high track voltage to work properly, and if the cleaning wheels bounce, it will not be very effective, leaving "zebra stripes" on your track.

As the cleaning wheels wear, they do not always wear evenly. The faster they are turning, the less likely they are to go out of round. Other than replacing the cleaning wheels, you can often "true" them with a hobby knife while you have the loco on it's back and spinning as fast as possible.

Greg
 
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