Track cleaner from Piko

kim

kim

retired at last
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Just discovered that one of the 3 new 4 wheel shunters that Piko will be releasing this year is actually a track cleaner with the cleaning operation being - I believe but open to contradiction :mask:- battery driven by standard AA batteries. There is an attachable plate that contains a cleaning pad and away you go. At the price well worth a look.
It's on the gaugemaster website at
www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=PK38501&style=&strType=&Mcode=Piko+38501

http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=25601
 
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Well spotted that Man!!!
 
This is from Trainworld

Clean Machine“ Track Cleaning Loco

With the “Clean Machine“ version of the GE 25-Ton diesel, PIKO introduces a completely

new concept in track cleaning. Common household rechargeable batteries provide

extensive running time. Track cleaning operation is simple - just turn it on and let it

run around the layout till even heavily oxidized track is polished clean. Once the Clean

Machine has cleared the way, track-powered locos can run smoothly!
 
Gaugemaster add appears to be suggesting that it NEEDS a small decoder, this if true could make the price not so attractive.
 
dunnyrail said:
Gaugemaster add appears to be suggesting that it NEEDS a small decoder, this if true could make the price not so attractive.
Click to expand...

Yes, there is a contradiction on this looking at US and UK adverts. With the other 2 being non cleaning loco's I suspect that for digital tracks the 'small' decoder will be needed, especially with Gaugemaster being the importers they should know!
 
dunnyrail said:
Gaugemaster add appears to be suggesting that it NEEDS a small decoder, this if true could make the price not so attractive.
Click to expand...

The way I read the Gaugemaster details is that a small decoder would be needed if the loco is to run on DCC (in other words, it's supplied "DCC-ready" but unchipped); as supplied I assume it's analogue, with the switchable option of using the battery power when in its track cleaning mode.

Jon.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
So, is there any picture of the track cleaning apparatus?
Click to expand...

Not seen any. On the Piko site it says, rough translation, attach included plate with pads. Modellbahnshop says it has good track pick up and runs off rechargable batteries?!?!
 
kim said:
Not seen any. On the Piko site it says, rough translation, attach included plate with pads. Modellbahnshop says it has good track pick up and runs off rechargable batteries?!?!
Click to expand...
Possibly lost in translation, it looks like the cleaning mech is run off batteries but I open to correction on that. We shall have to wait till someone gets their grubby hands on one and does a review for us. Probably in a Geman Garden Railway Magazine, oh dear that is where I started!
 
3Valve said:
Tidy little loco though, and if it cleans the track as well as they claim it does, bonus.
Click to expand...
Agreed!

I might have brought one meself, if I hadn't already brought a LGB TCL....
 
With whats been said ...pads ....it would sound like its similiar to the sprung pads that lgb do that fit benieth a waggon.
 
I can see the logic in using battery power for traction when cleaning dirty track, especially with a short wheelbase loco. I'll be interested to discover the effectiveness of the cleaning mechanism. It'll need to be good to clean track that is too mucky for reliable track power collection.
 
Neil Robinson said:
I can see the logic in using battery power for traction when cleaning dirty track, especially with a short wheelbase loco. I'll be interested to discover the effectiveness of the cleaning mechanism. It'll need to be good to clean track that is too mucky for reliable track power collection.
Click to expand...
Yes, I was thinking that. My experience with the Aristo track cleaning caboose is that it's OK for keeping your track clean if you use it every week or so. If you get an accumulation of garden crud, then you've got to start with either something mechanical or the good ole LGB Mk1 cleaner.
 
I'm interested in this cleaner, too. I have to say however that my understanding of the description in the Piko 2018 catalogue was that this engine was cleaner-only and battery-only. Now it seems it would work using track power, too... Interesting...

And since this is supposed to be "a completely new concept in track cleaning" I really hope it is something more than just a pad (or two) pressing against the rails. Their previous cleaning car:
http://my-miniature-worlds.blogspot.com/2017/05/piko-37720-g-scale-track-cleaning-car.html
works pretty well but it uses exactly a pressing pad, so I'd expect more from "a completely new concept".
 
MyMiniatureWorlds said:
I'm interested in this cleaner, too. I have to say however that my understanding of the description in the Piko 2018 catalogue was that this engine was cleaner-only and battery-only. Now it seems it would work using track power, too... Interesting...

And since this is supposed to be "a completely new concept in track cleaning" I really hope it is something more than just a pad (or two) pressing against the rails. Their previous cleaning car:
http://my-miniature-worlds.blogspot.com/2017/05/piko-37720-g-scale-track-cleaning-car.html
works pretty well but it uses exactly a pressing pad, so I'd expect more from "a completely new concept".
Click to expand...
Yeah - put the old cleaning pad in a loco - that's new :cool::cool:
 
I think the 'totally new concept' is battery power for the loco??

Of course, I could be 'totally wrong'! :(:think:
 
I know someone working for Piko America and this is a new design. They said more details should be online within a week or so.

The battery power idea is part of the new idea. (Piko would/will be the first large manufacturer I can think of with a G-Scale battery powered loco.) The "household" batteries are expected to last 40 minutes or longer, of course capable of going well over an hour, depending on what kind/power/variety are used. Cleaning track will take a little less time than the current products, and the loco is supposed to clean over a few passes - not 1 - and will not damage track if left alone. (can anyone say worn down rail if the other loco ever got stuck!)
It is supposed to be possible to use 2 or more Piko track cleaning locos at one time in case you want to speed up the process. (Hey, it would still cost less than the other track cleaning loco on the market!?)

The pads have been used on a few piko internal layouts for about a year or two from what I am told. The track pads are supposed to be different from all pads on the market currently.
 
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This is on PIKO America

38501 Clean Machine GE 25-Ton Track Cleaning Locomotive (G-Scale)
$229.99

This product is expected in September
Please fill in the form below if you'd like to be notified when it becomes available.


38501 Clean Machine GE 25-Ton Diesel Switcher Track Cleaning Locomotive (G-Scale) 120V

Features

  • Detailed GE 25-Ton diesel electric locomotive with lights
  • Powerful 5-pole precision can-type ball-bearing motor
  • Numerous molded-on details including lights, springs, bolts and more
  • Factory-applied handrails, coupler lift-bar, and steps
  • Operating white directional lighting
  • Realistic cab interior with space for engineer figure
  • Heavy duty, durable hard chrome ball-bearing wheels
  • Hook and loop type couplers
  • Crisp and clean lettering and logo designs
  • Created with incredibly tough weather-resistant materials
  • Minimum recommended radius: 600mm / 23.6”
  • Made in Germany
PIKO has lovingly realized the details of this little GE 25-Ton model. The completely newly-tooled design is convincingly finished and decorated. The model is finely and accurately detailed, yet robust enough for the rigors of garden railroad usage. The PIKO model features all-wheel gear drive, precisely-made wheelsets and reliable power pickup from the track. While many may rightly regard the appearance as somewhat "cute", this faithful scale model of a popular prototype, with its excellent value and proven PIKO performance, will no doubt find many friends.

With the “Clean Machine“ version of the GE 25-Ton diesel, PIKO introduces a completely new concept in track cleaning. Common household rechargeable batteries provide extensive running time. Track cleaning operation is simple - just turn it on and let it run around the layout till even heavily oxidized track is polished clean. Once the Clean Machine has cleared the way, track-powered locos can run smoothly!
 
MyMiniatureWorlds said:
I'm interested in this cleaner, too. I have to say however that my understanding of the description in the Piko 2018 catalogue was that this engine was cleaner-only and battery-only. Now it seems it would work using track power, too... Interesting...

And since this is supposed to be "a completely new concept in track cleaning" I really hope it is something more than just a pad (or two) pressing against the rails. Their previous cleaning car:
http://my-miniature-worlds.blogspot.com/2017/05/piko-37720-g-scale-track-cleaning-car.html
works pretty well but it uses exactly a pressing pad, so I'd expect more from "a completely new concept".
Click to expand...
I need to pay more attention to new releases, but this is a new product to me. Where I think it may score over some of the other Rubbing Types is the inclusion of some cleaning glug ability. US cost not much cheeper than the Loco which I believe to be on the steep side.
 
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