O K People I had lots of response to my last post so here is another: What do you use for a track cleaning car? A commercial product or something you made yourself? I kind of lean to the do it yourself approach. What have you tried and how effective was/is it?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I have a couple, but the one I use most is the Trackman 2000 with pink ScotchBrite pads. I bought it off eBay a number of years ago for $60, excellent investment.
I made several track cleaning cars using old K-Line flatcars and securing Mr. Clean scouring pads under them. They are weighted down with railroad spikes. I use my oldest diesel engines to pull these DIY track cleaning cars around the layout. When I connect two track cleaners, I usually put alcohol on the first car's pad and leave the second one dry. I do this about once a month. Works great.
GRJ: Your Trackman 2000 looks like a neat cleaner. How are/is the cleaning pad held onto the car?
Thanks
Jay
Please check this link ... the one from Northeast Trains in Peabody, MA is still made, but in batches, so you have to check with them to see if any are presently in stock.
3 - Rail Track Cleaning Car | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)
Funny how this track cleaning car topic keeps coming back. I've tried both, NE Trains custom-made one and Lionel's Post War one. I like Lionel's better due to the rotating cleaning action of the sponge, then the wiper on the back. For me, it works more efficiently than one that just wipes the rails. 
@trainman129 posted:GRJ: Your Trackman 2000 looks like a neat cleaner. How are/is the cleaning pad held onto the car?
You cut the pad to size, it wraps around the ends of the weight. There are some plastic pins that insert through the pad and into the weight to hold it secure. It's very easy to change the pad.
I ordered one of the NE units last Saturday. Looking forward to receiving it. (They don't provide tracking numbers though).
John
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
