Design for an O Scale "Track/VAC"

I suspect you need a fan bigger than would fit in the top corner of the boxcar in order for it to have any pick up power of a useful nature.

I promise not to patent that observation either..

A nice idea though.  But what is "app debris"?  I get that it's stuff on the track, but don't know what "app" is referring to.

-Dave

It is an interesting idea.  In my mind, the challenge would be getting enough suction at the track level.  Even a shop vac doesn't do much until you are very close to the surface.  Maybe some auto detailing vacuum tools could be used on the bottom as the sweeper/sucker...I might trademark that term   

A good starting point for a vacuum motor would be an iRobot Roomba motor.  Small, relatively cheap, and provides enough suction to clean carpets.  It's about the size of a deck of cards.

https://www.amazon.com/Authent...peller/dp/B079CN2XSP

Ryan, That guy could get some kind of dirty track!!

I opened up the video in YouTube and translated from Korean to English to see what he wrote.

Korea Brass Co., Ltd. Rail cleaning train cleaner vacuum cleaning train Rail vacuum cleaning train cleaner car test

Model trains can be picked up from the rails, so make sure the rails are clean to ensure good electricity The function is good, so the miracle sound and the bell sound, the steam sound speed control, the forward and reverse functions are well done. This is why the rails should always be clean In the house, if the pet's hair and fiber dust are wrapped around the shaft, the wheel may not roll. It also has a magnetic function, and if iron powder sticks to the speaker, the sound is deformed and becomes a source of defects. If you clean it with a vacuum train, you can prevent speaker defects in advance and enjoy good sound quality. For the performance test, I installed rails in the soil and took the life test for 7 hours in a row. No performance or mechanical defects were found under adverse conditions, but it is regrettable that there is no market in Korea. Homework to expand exports to the US and Europe is left behind. In the United States, the rail length is long and it is a good idea product for the elderly who have difficulty cleaning the rail.

That track cleaner vacuum car is H-O! I’m sure one could be built for the larger gauges.

Thanks for the translation Mark. I just remembered seeing the video somewhere when i saw this topic, and remembered it was on their channel on YouTube.

it actually sounds like it sucks something up at about 32 seconds in.

@Lee Willis did a track vacuum, I know I've seen it documented.  I believe he did several generations to make improvements.