In this video the MOW crew is out and about and cleaning up the track for the track powered trains.
They use the Rail Sweeper rig that has a tank on it that is filled with soapy water and that drips through a T bar and on to a roller that wets the track and loosens the grime. The Dryer car follows along and uses a piece of face cloth to wipe the rail.
In this video the mainline is done and the crew concentrates on the Bypass, the Mountain route and the Reverse Loop. Happy RRing!
It’s excellent that you can do this without abrasives. 20 years ago I made the decision to build with more expensive stainless steel rail so I could avoid abrasive cleaning of brass. While I was running track power, I still needed to wipe the rail of dirt and grit for good power transfer. I made a wiping pole with a block of wood and a cloth that I could run around the track. Your system would have been more fun!
You’ve really got it down to an art, Todd, looks great!
Do you ever use your blower car? As I recall it’s pretty kick-a$$.
Ever tried adding a bit of vinegar to the water? Could be effective on the corrosion.
The track doesn’t have to be shiny bright to conduct power, it just has to have the grime and goo off of it.
I did try a piece of 1500 wet dry sand paper on the dryer car but I don’t think it is a good idea to sand the track.
I do have a sanding pole with a green scotch brite pad on the end.
It is certainly more fun to let the trains do the work.
In years past when the pollen piles up I have taken the pole sander with the green pad on it and a bucket of soapy water and run round the RR with it.
Thanks Cliff.
The Rail Warrior blower car is used more in the Fall when there are leaves here and there. Last week I took the leaf blower to the yard and the RR and blew out the last of the leaves from last year. This MOW run was to clean up the track for the track powered trains.
I have thought about trying vinegar Todd but I’m worried that it might change the color of the rail. I have tried rubbing alcohol and bubble blowing liquid but the Dawn seems to do a good job.