Large Scale Central

Track Cleaning Car

General Discussion
#1

The current copy of GR magazine has an article about building a track cleaning car using a used motor block, plexiglass, freight truck, etc … The plan appears to meet the design requirement, based on the ‘keep it simple’ principal. Works for me…

For those of us thst don’t have a used motor block sitting around - any suggestions? I noticed Aristcraft sells a 3 axle motor block that should work.

Jerry

#2

Jerry Any motor block will work if you want a powered one. To save you some trouble on making the pad mount here is what I used under the one I made (non powered). The springs add or decrease tension on the pad which is very helpful.

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/Shortybear/The%20Railroad/Scratchbuilding/Dec09076.jpg)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/Shortybear/The%20Railroad/Scratchbuilding/Dec09078.jpg)

#3

Roster - Good Idea! That certainly is simple.

Thanks!

Jerry

#4

or you can just install batter…oh, never mind…:wink:

#5

David, that is an insanely simple car. I may have to try one. My layout is not too big and only takes a few minutes with a pole-sander (so far only once) but I like the idea of “automation” (and cheap, like cheap too!).

#6
Ken Brunt said:
or you can just install batter..................oh, never mind......;)
Did you really say that out loud? :P

I tried making a car like that once. The springs lifted the car off the track nicely. :frowning:

#7

That car has worked very well for me for the past couple years but the spring tension is the key on how clean you want on the first pass and how much motive power you have to pull it fully loaded
…;)…