Track cleaners

CoggesRailway said:
I know it's a cliche' but if you get yourself one battery loco it does allow you to run on an impulse....
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on impulse ? can you get battery loco's with warp drive as well......... :rolf:
 
Mel (or anyone else) are accucraft wheels any better? They appear a reasonable price at Track Shack but as I need to start changing over have wondered what is the best buy bearing in mind comments on this thread.
For a man who does it by hand this has been a very interesting thread.
yb281 said:
Only one place for IP wheels IMO ................... the bin!
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bazzer42 said:
Mel (or anyone else) are accucraft wheels any better? They appear a reasonable price at Track Shack but as I need to start changing over have wondered what is the best buy bearing in mind comments on this thread.
For a man who does it by hand this has been a very interesting thread.
Click to expand...
I certainly find Accucraft wheels are better on my railway mate. However, they do still have finer flanges which are more inclined to de-rail on less than perfect track and the will drop into the V of many G scale points (LGB, Piko etc.). So if this is likely to be a problem, the best alternatives are the Bachmann/Lilliput wheels which you buy 4 axles at a time and are available in 2 sizes. Steve @ Back2Bay6 had these in stock last time I was there.
 
yb281 said:
bazzer42 said:
Mel (or anyone else) are accucraft wheels any better? They appear a reasonable price at Track Shack but as I need to start changing over have wondered what is the best buy bearing in mind comments on this thread.
For a man who does it by hand this has been a very interesting thread.
Click to expand...
I certainly find Accucraft wheels are better on my railway mate. However, they do still have finer flanges which are more inclined to de-rail on less than perfect track and the will drop into the V of many G scale points (LGB, Piko etc.). So if this is likely to be a problem, the best alternatives are the Bachmann/Lilliput wheels which you buy 4 axles at a time and are available in 2 sizes. Steve @ Back2Bay6 had these in stock last time I was there.
Click to expand...
Most of my coaches and wagons have now been re-wheeled with Bachmann/Lilliput steel wheels....
 
Track cleaning and clearing....the mere thought of it makes me wince. Sap, pine needles, leaves, bird and mammal poo,... the usual. I use everything that I can lay my hands on..
We have a whole lot of trees and bushes under which the track passes nearby or directly through and under so leaf removal can be a continual process.
For a post winter first time jobbie...
First task:
I have to clear the pine needles from the track under the offending tree, and then any other leaves for which I have a 'customised' garden blower/vac. I have 'butchered' the turbine blade so that it does not suck up any of the ballast (well practically any) and just the leaves.
Second task:
I have a plasterer's finishing pole with an articulated pad with which I use very fine sand paper (I know sand paper causes even more problems!) as it is quick and removes practically anything in those hard to get to places that cannot be done by hand. ( I could use an LGB cleaning pad on this but the sand paper is soooo quick)
Third task:
I use LGB type hand pads and 'Scotchbrite' pads for manual places.
Fourth task:
Then the LGB cleaning loco is sent around for a few circuits.

To keep it all nice and clean:
Occasional pad or circuits LGB cleaning loco to get rid of 'running' crud. Occasional 'hoover' especially under the large pine tree and where the track disappears under bushes etc. AND running a long metal-wheeled train as often as possible.

The cleaning of rails and track bed must take more than its fair share of time when compared to the good stuff like running, 'fettling', kitbashing, scratchbuilding and customising stock.
 
Thanks everyone. On the advice of the forum, I got an LGB track cleaner, and at the cost of a fair bit of elbow grease it has done a fine job. Now, how do I clean the cleaner? Can I wash it in white spirit, or something similar? Don't want to spoil it.
 
Fairlie said:
Now, how do I clean the cleaner? Can I wash it in white spirit, or something similar? Don't want to spoil it.
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Noooooo!

The cleaning wheels wear and will eventually need replacing with new ones.

The bodywork, I would wipe over with a damp cloth, with a tiny bit of washing up liquid if really grimy.

I certainly wouldn't want white spirit near any loco....
 
Fairlie said:
Sorry Gizzy, I didn't make myself clear. I was referring to the LGB hand-held pad.
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Phew!

In that case, I concur with Mel....
 
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