Track cleaning & accessibility

Henri

Henri

refuses to grow up
Country flag
This afternoon I had some trains running on the 'straight' behind the box (see Rabbit Hill topic).

Before I could run the trains I had to clean the tracks thoroughly. I was glad I could still reach it.

With my current plan, this part of the layout will be difficult to access when all is finished. Now I'm wondering if this is a 'maintenance' problem, or if a cleaning wagon or engine is sufficient for regular track cleaning?

Running DC... Outdoors...
 
Hmm sounds like you will have an issue. Wagons can clean the Track a bit, but nothing matches a good clean with an LGB Track Cleaning Block. An LGB Track Cleaning Loco would do the job fine, but at a cost. I wonder if you could make the Track so that you could walk over it to clean with the LGB Cleaninfpg Block, the Track is after all Elephant Proof and I regularly walk (carefully) over the Track in my new Fiddle Yard.
JonD
 
the track cleaning loco is effective but fairly expensive. Various track scraping wagons are available and do work to varying degrees. I find the best cleaner is regular use.
Make one yourself.
 
A lot of people make a long-handled cleaning pole by fixing an LGB (or similar) cleaning block on some kind of swivel mechanism, attached to the end of a broom handle. If you make the swivel point multi-directional then you could probably reach over your buxus hedge from a standing position and still get enough downward force on the cleaning head to actually do some good.
Maybe some of those who have made and use such devices could post some pictures of them here to give you some ideas?

Jon.
 
Remember seeing one of these in action in the States, but could never find a suitable mechanism in UK to replicate. Did but a cleaner from GRS, but the Rod was made of Brass and bent under preasure sadly.
JonD
 
I've seen them in use when visiting various lines, but I can't clearly recall what the pivot mechanism was like or what it was made from, which is why I was hoping someone else would pop up with suggestions. It needs to swivel sufficiently that you can get the cleaner block flat on the track while standing offset to the side..... Something like a floor-cleaning "squeegee" but with some sideways movement as well.....

Jon.
 
I have used oil for track cleaning for over 16 years..... works for me. Few drops on the track in strategic places, and a few laps around the track with any rolling stock, or motive power, then it's all go. :cool:
 
Zerogee said:
A lot of people make a long-handled cleaning pole by fixing an LGB (or similar) cleaning block on some kind of swivel mechanism, attached to the end of a broom handle. If you make the swivel point multi-directional then you could probably reach over your buxus hedge from a standing position and still get enough downward force on the cleaning head to actually do some good.
Maybe some of those who have made and use such devices could post some pictures of them here to give you some ideas?

Jon.
Click to expand...
Try looking for a dry wall sander if I remember correctly it's called wall board in the UK? they have extension poles for doing ceilings which have a swivel ball end.............
 
Henri said:
The 'swiveling' thing is brilliant. We have some thing to map the floor in the living room. Worth an experiment!

Also the oil, that's something I've been thinking about as well. It will certainly protect the surface from oxidation! But will it harm conductivity...
Click to expand...
The oil can be a mixed blessing outside, can attract and keep dust and other crud on the track. Try it and see,mit may be OK in your location. The dry board thing is just the job if you can find one. Cut down with a Massoth LGB Track Rubber (Massoth ref 8314301) replacement just the job.
JonD
 
Excellent, Stan, that's exactly the sort of thing I was trying to describe.... and there it is ready-made!

Jon.
 
Just a thought for the Mods - the subject of track cleaning comes up so many times, and each time results in great new ideas, would it be possible to have a 'pinned' post on the subject? ....or place them in the knowledge base?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom