Track cleaner from Piko

stockers said:
Virtually free, and you can push it with anything.

The wood is not fixed, the screws just locate it between the framework so that it floats. That's a big bit of lead under the wood and the finest wet&Dry I could find under that held on with drawing pins..

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You should have them in the Model Shops for Spring Alan, great use of a PM Wagon.
 
Quite honestly, I can't understand the hype over this track cleaner being advertised from Piko...but I guess all the hype, will sell a lot of them to those that get taken in by it, before ever hearing any long term reports of its actual effectiveness ...
Let the buyer beware...
Fr.Fred
 
The track cleaners (which are oxidation removers) I have seen effective have good sized weight on the "rubbing block", this gives more force to have good friction, and good cleaning. Of course it depends a lot on what you are rubbing on the rails. The screen material they have referenced each time, and what is on the mockup does not have a lot of friction so a small loco should be ok, but it will definitely draw more current.

I have use probably almost every track cleaner ever made in G... a favorite out here in San Diego is a heavy lead plate with this type of sandpaper on it... it's very coarse at first, which I do not like, but the grit wears off metal rail quickly (it's not designed for this) and you are left with a fiberglas screen material, which is a nice fine abrasive...

Greg
 
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.no doubt there will be reports on how good(or bad)it is but I think overall it`s not a bad idea,lets wait and see;)
 
Just checking up... I find myself oddly excited about seeing one of these. (I say oddly, because I don't think I have been very interested in most new products in the last few years. You might say because there aren't many!?) I see a lot of bashing possibilities with the track cleaner and blue one... and at a low price, if I screw one up I am not out 1,000's of bucks.

I even signed up to get emails from piko in hopes that it gets me some good info when release is closer.
 
Greg's post to this thread reminded me to put this up. I meant to when the LGB 5005 Track cleaning attachment was brought up.

TC - 1.jpg

It's on the underside of a LGB 4021 that's been embellished with some paint, weathering and rubber rulering to the RhB. The wagon's got a load of logs (prunings from an overhanging tree) to give it some added weight.

Phil S.
 
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So, it would stand to reason that all the different versions of the 25 ton loco have an access panel under the engine hood. Right? Or, would that only been the Clean Machine?
 
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Well it looks fairly 'standard'..

Motor-block all below the footplate, so loads of room for RC and sound gear. :):nod::nod:
 
The only 'fly in the ointment' will be if they are using a smaller, weaker motor in the cleaning loco.. :think:
 
PhilP said:
The only 'fly in the ointment' will be if they are using a smaller, weaker motor in the cleaning loco.. :think:
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BakerJohn said:
So, it would stand to reason that all the different versions of the 25 ton loco have an access panel under the engine hood. Right? Or, would that only been the Clean Machine?
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To both of these, I would say it is unlikely that they made any differences in tooling from model to model. With most G-Scale locos being reported to cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for tooling alone, it would suggest that they are almost completely the same model.

When they were asked about it at a show, the Piko America person mentioned that they are pretty sure there will be some extra space in the loco for batteries, weights, etc. according to the 3D specs. I am guessing that "extra space" would be where they put a AAA battery holder for the track cleaner.

I have one of these on pre-order because I am curious about it. At the price, even if it only does an OK job cleaning track it is worth it to me.

A video was posted on YouTube showing some early production of the locos!
The replies from Piko folks share a lot of info about the garden train industry. (Curious if they really meant to share the info?)
 
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