CMX Clean machine track cleaner car. Is it worth the cost for a larger layout??

[videobruce]

Only because the choices that CMX suggest are very questionable. Any chemists out there?
Popcorn not necessary.

[MK]

Bruce, do a search.  I remember a fairly recent and thorough discussion on this.

Ah,  this  is turning into "what is the best track cleaning method/liquid".  Should be interesting. I'm getting a large bag of popcorn.

Pete, I'll go make some more in case you're run out.   

[peteski]

I don't own a layout, but I'll repeat that based on my friend's experience denatured alcohol works well as a track cleaning fluid in the CMX machine.  Never had any compatibility issue or rolling stock or scenery damage.  Of course he is careful not to handle rolling stock if his fingers have alcohol on them.

His track cleaning train consists of one of those cars with a slightly abrasive Cratex rubber roller, the CMX car (bought when they were much less expensive), and the Centerline cr with a dry soft roller to dry the track.

I'm not a chemist, but in my experience fluids like Naphtha work better than alcohols when used as degreasers.   That brings another one of "those" questions: what exactly is the composition of the gunk that accumulates on the wheel treads and railhead.  I seem to recall that back on the Atlas forum someone wanted to use a chromatograph to analyze the composition of the model  RR gunk.

[Peavine]

I use a car with a cratex roller, two centerlines with mineral spirits, and three homemade cars with a bright boy hanging between the trucks. Works great

[TVRR]

I use a CMX that I bought from Tony's years ago for a LOT less than $200 with a trailing dry pad car. Runs fine behind most of my engines and gives me very clean track and wheels. I use Naphtha routinely and have noticed no problems with Uni-track or paint.  Changing pads takes seconds and the pads are washable for reuse.

[videobruce]

Doesn't the CMX have a separate 'pad'?

[TVRR]

Re pads:  When I bought my CMX N scale many moons ago, they came with a long strip of a corduroy fabric of correct width. You just cut off about an inch to make the pad. Make 1 or several, I'm still on my 2nd one. BTW I clean track before every use.

[videobruce]

What fluid do you use?

[TVRR]

Naphtha

[videobruce]

As in lighter fluid and/or camp fire fuel?

[TVRR]

As in VM&P Naphtha available in any hardware or paint store. I bought a quart 15 years ago and will never run out.

[peteski]

As in lighter fluid and/or camp fire fuel?

Ronsonol lighter fluid, Varnish Maker's and Painters (VM&P) Naphtha, are all the same stuff (Naphtha).  Never used the Camp Fuel stuff but I believe it is also Naphtha.  The VM&P Naphtha from a hardware store seems the most economical.  Ronsonol would be the priciest.