Best track cleaning car

opinions on track cleaning cars very a lot.  do a search and read some of the posts.

this might work, track cleaning talk

I don't think there is any best track cleaning car. There certainly have been a wide assortment made by both manufactures and individuals creating their own. I still use an old Lionel track cleaning car from around 1961. It works well enough for me. IS it the best? I don't know I never used anything else but then again I have never had a track problem either.

Still once or twice a year I do a full hand cleaning of the track using a scotchbright (SP) pad and track cleaner fluid. The tunnels are a pain to hand clean but I designed them for hand cleaning access.

Make sure to clean you wheels and rollers or the dirt comes back fast.

The only real issue I ever get is if for a reason the layout sits for a month in the summer a combination of household dust and maybe some oxidation really interferes with the electricity to the engines. A fast trip around with the Lionel track cleaning car solves that too.

Good luck I know you will get far more suggestions and maybe someone will show you their home made track cleaning car.

I'll cast my vote for the CMX O clean machine.  Pricey?  Yes ($259).  Durable.  Easy to use.  Does a fantastic job.  Add isopropyl alcohol and let it go.  Wipe pads off with a paper towel to clean them.

Bit confused over scotch brite pads......which one is the best one to use......green/blue/maroon?  Search feature on the forum advised that some varieties of scotch brite leave metallic residue behind which is a no-no for electric trains.  I presently use a Bridgemaster cleaner car with the maroon scotch brite pad which appears to do a good job but am I screwing up my trains using this pad?

I use my Trackman 2000 with the Maroon ScotchBrite pads, I've had no issues with the track or it leaving anything behind.

Thank you , John.......appreciate the advice.

Pete