MRR Track Cleaning Car
Track cleaning is a necessity at the MRR not because of oxidation or corrosion - after all, the tracks are all nickel-plated - but because of dust. Not only is dust a general problem in Metro Manila, but also because the room in which the MRR resides serves concurrently as the laundry area. Indeed, the washing machine stays adjacent to San Fernando La Union Station. And worse, clean laundry is put by the maids above the MRR for drying. Unfortunately, to obtain the building permit for the MRR, this compromise begrudgingly had to be accepted.
As the track is nickel-plated, a grinding-style track-cleaning locomotive was out of question. Instead, I purchased this track-cleaning devise, which can be put under a car.
Schienenreinigungsschuh Spur G Für unterm Wagen (Zum Schrauben)
The car itself started it’s life as a second-hand purchased, yellow painted, standard gauge monstrosity. I reduced the wall-height with a dremel and gave it a nice paint job. The installation of the track-cleaning device was quite simple, basically two holes for the screws is all what’s needed. Not too tight, so the device moves freely up and down, and will always be on top of the track.
