With the recent addition of an American Eskimo puppy into our household, I have discovered that this type of dog has very fine hair that is ending up on my railroad and on my train wheels and gears. Rather than create and try to enforce a strict protocol with separate clothes for the train room, it seemed more practical to enlist the help of a vacuum to run the tracks as the required first run of operation. I created a MooSoo vacuum.
The 2025 version of MooSoo vacuum looks much closer to a tanker than a rocket - not as cool, but still functional. MooSoo P05 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner at iMooSoo.com. $36 + shipping. I still need to adapt the nozzle, but as you can see I removed the log dump mechanism and Dremeled off the interfering plastic on a Lionel 9303 Log Dump car to nestle the vacuum. (See a terrific earlier version of this car from @John Sethian in 2021).
I also cut off the leading coupler, anticipating a flared nozzle tucked close to the car frame to prevent interference around corners.
Very stable without tying it down, but there are two perfect notches for rubber bands already cut into the Log Dump car. (Added photo with rubber bands.)
Mock up of hood - now I need to cut it a little longer and create a narrow tube to get the fastest air movement. I might cut apart and reglue the nozzle that comes with the vacuum, but it may be fragile sticking out front. The nozzle mock-up below is made from Woodland Scenics Track Bed ST1476, tie strap, and a couple of plastic screws repurposed from a Lionel girder bridge. I’ll add a new photo once I have a tighter funnel in place under the cowl.
