Small vac for the train room?

Stay away from Dirt Devil. I bought one a few years ago and it was a piece of junk. Motor toasted twice; first time was covered by warranty, second time it went out to the curb on trash day. Check your local sew & vac shops and see if they have any reconditioned Hoovers, that's what I have now. Or... I just checked Lowe's and they have several different Bissell and Eureka models for around $100 that should work well for you.  

I bought one of these (earlier model) probably 35 years ago or so, specifically for cleaning up things on and around my train layouts, and it is still performing just fine:

http://hoover.com/products/det...ight-vacuum-cleaner/

The link is to the Hoover website.  You likely can fine them for significantly less than the manufacturer's price.

I like Simplicity, most of their uprights are American-made.  There are some right around $199, a little more than your target price, but they have actual warranties and replaceable parts, unlike most vacs in that price range. 

There's a few Dyson's on "the list" in your area. Easy to clean and maintain and they definitely get up very small particles. That may also be a source for any higher priced model to fit within your budget.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Hoover. I have never been disappointed with their products.  Amazon are listing this particular Hoover model from $120 and up. 

Personally, I prefer an upright for use on carpet, as nothing beats the 'beats-as-it-sweeps-as-it-cleans' action.  Might I suggest something like this model? http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-W...ywords=hoover+vacuum  (Under $150) Or if you really need to stay under $100, then perhaps this model? http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-W...r+vacuum Either will work with great effect on carpet or any other surface using the hose and tools provided, and being bagless makes it so much simpler to recover those important little items that are lost until you hear them being sucked up by the hoover.  

A very old Sears Craftman Shop vac.   Note that the efficiency of a shop vac is usually related to a large filter that is well made. I'm not sure why Shop Vacs have to have that huge 5/10 gallon bucket. I like this smaller vac.  Clean it often and replace as necessary. I have two filters.  I clean the filters, carefully with water, and allow to dry.  Empty and clean the canister often. IMO.   There has been discussion on the forum about hepa-filters.

I added the handle from an old drywall bucket.  There are tube extensions behind the red air compressor.  Doesn't have a rotating brush, but does a pretty good job, when maintained properly.   

I have similar carpet in my trainroom.  I use a shop vac that works great in the shop, and on cleaning up the floor, which frankly would sometimes be a challenge for a normal household carpet vaccuum. 

For use with a shop vac or similar, you can find the air-powered beater brushes that are used with whole-house vacuums, solves the issue of the beater bar.  I love the whole-house vacuum, you don't have to lug a machine around, just the hose.

Get a Shark.

.....

Dennis

Another option for something small is a company called Metropolitan Vacuum in upstate NY.  I have a "metro vac and go" that I use for the cars.  It was $100 or so.  It is very compact and powerful, but it lacks a beater brush.  Not sure what the policy here is with respect to links but if you were to google search "metro vac" or "metroplitan vacuum" you will find the company.  I've been very pleased with mine.  It is not a substitute for a full household vacuum for cleaning, but it is more than sufficient for limited duty, and it is great at small cleanups.  Plus it is hand held.  The company also has other options you might consider.  HTH.

I finally remembered the correct term for an ultra-compact upright vac - it's a stick vac. Some of those come with a built-in carpet beater, and that's what I'm looking for. I don't have room to store a full-size upright or canister vac, and stick vacs are cheaper. Several of you suggested Hoover, and I found a Hoover stick vac on Amazon for $89 that has a lot of favorable feedback from purchasers. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-C...cm_cr_pr_product_top

Anybody have experience with this or other stick vacs?

(By the way, if anyone knows how to find the directions for posting a link, please tell me. The Webmaster jumped on my case for posting a full link rather than using a title, but I put a title in the dialog box and it doesn't show, and I can't find any instructions for this or a lot of other things anywhere on the Forum website.)

I use this one from Eureka. Works great, nice old fashion vacuum cleaner that hasn't failed in 5 years now.

I recomend a thrift shop probably less than $20. Orek is more than you want to spend but sometimes dealers will have a bundle that includes a canister vac perfect for cleaning up on the layout. Our Oreks have been in operation since 1996 without problems. However if there's not a dealer near you it'd be a problem finding bags, heppa filters and other parts.

Interesting. My wife got me one of those hand Dirt Devil vacs for around $5 at a garage sale. It sure is loud, but seems to work pretty well for vacuuming dust and stuff off the floor and layout, especially that small flexible rubber suction tube. When it shoots craps, I'll just go back to my big Shop Vac, with a small diameter flex hose & nozzle.

Here's my handy little Hoover Portapower cleaner.  Just perfect for the layout.  It was a hand me down that was purchased in April 1985 and still purrs like a kitten.  I was even able to buy a new cloth vacuum bag for it within the last year which I use strictly for cleaning up when I do landscaping.  Great machine.

Ken

I am a vacuum repair tech by trade and would recommend you trying to find a used/refurb Oreck XL. They are light, relatively compact, somewhat quieter than other units already mentioned and other than an occasional belt and brushroll replacement, should serve you well. When we have them, we sell our refurb units for about $75. Simplicity is not bad but not nearly as common. Parts are also a little harder to come by. They are also noisier. Pretty much the rest mentioned are "dreck" from my point of view.

That's the same one I have, Ken, although mine is an older model.  It has served me very well since, if memory serves, along about 1987 or so.  Got it when I lived in Hawaii and it has been with me--and working just fine--ever since.  Haven't even had to replace the cloth bag, although I do give it a good washing on occasion.

Granted, this is NOT a vacuum for cleaning the carpet (aside from small spots, etc.), but it sure does a fine job of keeping the layout clean.  I use it for picking up loose ballast after I have ballasted a section of track; for retrieving all those tiny pieces of foam that some off when you're carving foam scenery; for picking up excess scenic foam (grass, etc.); and lots of other things.

"Anybody have experience with this or other stick vacs?"

Yeah, I already told ya.  A Shark.

.....

Dennis

Two words:  SANITAIRE COMMERCIAL upright - $300-350, but well worth it. Get the model with the replaceable bag.

These are used in all the best hotels, and they have ball bearing rollers and look like a hot rod with their red and chrome finish!

I have a small shop vac I bought at Wal mart last years and it works great. It is also good for cleaning dust from the layout.

I'm with CAPE COD NORTHERN, get an ORECK XL.  We bought ours 17 years ago and we got the upright along with a small lightweight vac for cars and small jobs, along with an iron, all three for the price of about 300 bucks.  But the ORECK works great and cuts down on alergines in the air.

I have had my Hoover Portapower vacuum for over 25 years, and it still works like new. I agree with you guys that have this vacuum, it's the best.

Avoid any of the rechargeable type vacuum cleaners as these lack power. Go to Good Will and buy a used 120VAC upright that uses a replaceable dirt bag. Use a piece of panty hose over the end of the hose when cleaning the layout, so none of your scenic details and or people get sucked into the vacuum.

At the House and Houston inplate has been using the Eureka baggless uprights for years.  They also have the "elephant nose" so you can clean the layout.  Loud, but it gets the job done.  And the filters can be taken out and washed.  When the container gets half full, empty it, and wipe it down with a damp cloth.  Once dried, it is good to go.