Tomix track cleaning car now in US

[rogergperkins]

https://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/738-6421
I asked the LHS to order one of these for me and it came today.
Initially saw it in one of the Walther's monthly flyers, and asked the LHS owner to order it; so am assuming the LHS got it from them.
I purchased one years ago when they were made for Atlas.  Like the vacuum feature.
This one runs nicely; clears well.

[PAL_Houston]

The link says they're not in stock, so maybe you got the last one?
Does it come with Rapidos?

[davefoxx]

I have never understood the appeal of these track cleaning cars.  I just use my wet/dry vacuum cleaner and brush attachment to clean the layout.  Considering the expense (and especially the effort required to decoderize a track cleaning car if you run DCC), I don't see the value.  I think my wet/dry vacuum and attachments was less expensive than a track cleaning car, and the wet/dry vac is not a unitasker.

Could somebody enlighten me?

Thanks,
DFF

[mmagliaro]

I have always been intrigued by these.  At $65, isn't that a big drop in price?  I thought these used to cost around 100 bucks.

As for the benefit, I can see it.  There are always tunnels and other awkward places that are hard to clean.  A car
that can sail over any track to clean and vacuum seems like a great idea.  The vacuum part always surprised me
(as in, "why would I need that?").  But I have come to realize that a LOT of dust just plain accumulates on anything in a room,
and getting it off the rails really helps the track (and your wheels) stay much cleaner.

I'm still not sure I want to spend $65 on it, though.

[Chris333]

There are a bunch on e-bay for $46.00. I bought the Atlas version when it first came out for about $40.00. To me it works pretty good and I'm always surprised what the vacuum picks up.

[carlso]

I'll second Chris's remarks. I recently ran one over the SNMNS layout , in Las Cruces, and was amazed at what the vac picked up. Wouldn't run it all the time but placed in a "track cleaning train" and run every 4-5 hours during a show would be fantastic. I think mine is an Atlas and I placed a TCS decoder with two top mounted flashing LED's. Looks cool and works well.

Car

[peteski]

The appeal?  Like others stated, it easily vacuums every inch of the track, no matter how difficult it is to access for manual cleaning (tunnels, between buildings, etc.).  I'm also very surprised how much crud it picks up ever time it is used.  Plus of course, it is a cool gadget. That is also appealing to me. 

[LV LOU]

 I want one,but,being,well,ME,I decided to make one.Not done yet,but I'm modifying an 89 foot auto parts boxcar.It will be self contained,no power needed.I took a tail motor and two batteries from a small helicopter for the motor and self contained power supply.I made an aluminum duct for the fan that fit the car width,and cut the tail rotor to fit.The "vacuum bag" to catch the dust is a perforated plastic screen from a glass Harley fuel filter,it's cut to fit the body laying down,and is easily removable for cleaning..

[PAL_Houston]

...I decided to make one.Not done yet,but ...tail motor and two batteries from a small helicopter for the motor and self contained power supply.I made an aluminum duct for the fan that fit the car width,and cut the tail rotor to fit.The "vacuum bag" to catch the dust is a perforated plastic screen from a glass Harley fuel filter,it's cut to fit the body laying down,and is easily removable for cleaning..

Lou:  how about keeping us posted and showing us some pix on this project of yours? It sounds like a great project for a long winter weekend...

[mirage]

I'll second Chris's remarks. I recently ran one over the SNMNS layout , in Las Cruces, and was amazed at what the vac picked up. Wouldn't run it all the time but placed in a "track cleaning train" and run every 4-5 hours during a show would be fantastic. I think mine is an Atlas and I placed a TCS decoder with two top mounted flashing LED's. Looks cool and works well.

Car

Do you have any detailed informations about the dcc modifications?

I own a tomix from my dc times but after turning to dcc I can't use it any longer What I can say is that it picks up a lot of dust and gras fibers from the track and works well imho.

[ChristianJDavis1]

Do you have any detailed informations about the dcc modifications?

I own a tomix from my dc times but after turning to dcc I can't use it any longer What I can say is that it picks up a lot of dust and gras fibers from the track and works well imho.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/N_Scale/Tomix/Track%20Car/N_Tomix_Track_Car.html

This link should help at least a little. This link is from the TCS website, and uses a TCS M1 to install DCC in the Tomix Track-Cleaning Car. The article appears to be by Ron Bearden (u18b), so I would contact him for more information.

[nkalanaga]

I haven't used mine much, but one place it works very well is under overhead wires.  Imagine using a hand vac on a model of Harlowton or Enola yard.

[mirage]

http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/N_Scale/Tomix/Track%20Car/N_Tomix_Track_Car.html

This link should help at least a little. This link is from the TCS website, and uses a TCS M1 to install DCC in the Tomix Track-Cleaning Car. The article appears to be by Ron Bearden (u18b), so I would contact him for more information.

Thanks!

[chicken45]

Wasn't there like an 8 issue spread about cleaning cars in N Scale Magazine?

[DKS]

I have never understood the appeal of these track cleaning cars.  I just use my wet/dry vacuum cleaner and brush attachment to clean the layout.  Considering the expense (and especially the effort required to decoderize a track cleaning car if you run DCC), I don't see the value.  I think my wet/dry vacuum and attachments was less expensive than a track cleaning car, and the wet/dry vac is not a unitasker.

Could somebody enlighten me?

Thanks,
DFF

For a small layout, doing things by hand is probably better. But when you have a sprawling basement layout with smiles of harder-to-reach track and many tunnels, this car can be useful. It won't replace elbow grease for tough rail dirt or thick dust, but it can help keep a regularly-run layout running better. Rick Spano has two of them he uses often on his S&U, coupled together with some "old fashioned" Masonite pad track cleaners.