Cmx Cleaner car vs North East Trains cleaner and a Centerline Cleaner together?

Hi Robert:

I use all Atlas track.  This is only an opinion, but the CMX Clean Machine is about as good as it gets for a push/pull solution.  I had one in HO a while back, and it was perfect.  I have been loath to spend $295 on a track cleaning car; I have always done it by hand with 91% isopropyl and cloth.  However, with all the catenary I have to content with, the greatly increased traffic of long coal drags with real coal, and my inability to eschew traction tires, track cleaning is becoming a more pressing and rather annoying chore.  I think an O scale CMX is going to be my next major purchase.  You get what you pay for, and the simplicity of a single car is appealing.

Again, only my $0.0057.

Thanks Nate. I was just thinking the two car might be more beneficial with a roller type following along but I’ve never used any so really have no idea. What do you fill that CMX with?

Hi Robert:

The CMX has two pads, and is over 5lb.  I doubt you will get any better performance with the two cleaner cars, and then you have two cleaners to run and maintain.  This may be practical if you also want to run multiple 'cleaning extras', but I don't think its practical to run two together, at least as compared to a single CMX.

When I used the HO unit, I typically used mineral spirits.  However, I believe that stuff leaves a scant film, and in any case sends my sinuses into a frenzy.  Since I have been back in 3RS, it has all been 91% isopropyl.  It is safe, cheap, easy, and in my experience leaves no film.  Many folks use other chemicals with a similar history of good results.  However, I also see no reason to complicate things if something works, and isopropyl has worked well for me.

As above, this is only my opinion.  No dogmatism is intended.

I have the CMX 3 rail track cleaner & I really like it. I bought extra pad material. The car is very heavy and cleans well.

Don

I use a block of wood, 91% isopropyl,  and a shop cloth that I change the position of frequently, Once your pad is dirty your just getting the track dirty again. 

And....you won't need a track cleaning car if you spray CRC 2-26 electronic/lubricant on your track once per year!  Yeah....been doing this for several decades now and I never have to clean my track!  It does work guys...really it does.  And don't let the word "lubricant" scare you.  All you have to do is go around your layout every 6 to 8 feet and spray the CRC 2-26 directly on the rails (back and forth about 8 inches or so) and then run your locomotive around and around for a while.  This will spread a thin layout of CRC 2-26 over all your rails.  Start adding rolling stock and before you know it....your cleaning track worries will be a thing of the past.  Note that if your track is filthy, you may want to spray the CRC 2-26 on a rag and wipe the track down the first time...after that, you will not have to do so again.  If you are dealing with fairly clean track or new track, don't worry about it.  OK...that is my two cents and by the way, in the past, I used track cleaner cars and the CRC 2-26 is the winner hands down....

I use the Trackman 2000, we use one at our club as well.  No fluid, just a Scotchbrite pad.  I also have one of the North East Track Cleaners if I feel the need for a wet clean.  I'm sure the CMX car is great, but I also can't see $300 for a track cleaning car.

OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

And....you won't need a track cleaning car if you spray CRC 2-26 electronic/lubricant on your track once per year!  Yeah....been doing this for several decades now and I never have to clean my track!  It does work guys...really it does.  And don't let the word "lubricant" scare you.  All you have to do is go around your layout every 6 to 8 feet and spray the CRC 2-26 directly on the rails (back and forth about 8 inches or so) and then run your locomotive around and around for a while.  This will spread a thin layout of CRC 2-26 over all your rails.  Start adding rolling stock and before you know it....your cleaning track worries will be a thing of the past.  Note that if your track is filthy, you may want to spray the CRC 2-26 on a rag and wipe the track down the first time...after that, you will not have to do so again.  If you are dealing with fairly clean track or new track, don't worry about it.  OK...that is my two cents and by the way, in the past, I used track cleaner cars and the CRC 2-26 is the winner hands down....

Hi Alan:

Do you think the track type factors into this at all, (Atlas vs. Gargraves, etc.)?  It would not seem so to me, but just checking.  Indeed, I am very hesitate to use a lubricant as a track cleaner.  However, if that works for you, that is good enough for me to give it a try, (not to mention that a can of the stuff is only $2.98 at HD).  Thanks for chiming in.

Pantenary posted:

OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

And....you won't need a track cleaning car if you spray CRC 2-26 electronic/lubricant on your track once per year!  Yeah....been doing this for several decades now and I never have to clean my track!  It does work guys...really it does.  And don't let the word "lubricant" scare you.  All you have to do is go around your layout every 6 to 8 feet and spray the CRC 2-26 directly on the rails (back and forth about 8 inches or so) and then run your locomotive around and around for a while.  This will spread a thin layout of CRC 2-26 over all your rails.  Start adding rolling stock and before you know it....your cleaning track worries will be a thing of the past.  Note that if your track is filthy, you may want to spray the CRC 2-26 on a rag and wipe the track down the first time...after that, you will not have to do so again.  If you are dealing with fairly clean track or new track, don't worry about it.  OK...that is my two cents and by the way, in the past, I used track cleaner cars and the CRC 2-26 is the winner hands down....

Hi Alan:

Do you think the track type factors into this at all, (Atlas vs. Gargraves, etc.)?  It would not seem so to me, but just checking.  Indeed, I am very hesitate to use a lubricant as a track cleaner.  However, if that works for you, that is good enough for me to give it a try, (not to mention that a can of the stuff is only $2.98 at HD).  Thanks for chiming in.

Track type should not make a difference.  I have used it on both traditional track as well as the flat top track.  Again...don't worry about the word lubricant....actually the lubricant helps keep moisture at bay and the amount that is on the track is very minimal.  If you do happen to over do it...still not a problem.  It may mean you will have to run a shorter train around until you spread out the CRC.  I have done that myself and I had to cut the train length down to 15 or twenty cars...then after 15 or so trips around the track, I started adding my usual 50 to 70 car lengths....

Personally I have tried, and have several although NOT the two GRJ has suggested. Finally broke down and bit the rail and bought CMX. What a mistake messing with the others. I love it. I was using 91% isopropyl but after talking with some others, some using CMX and some not, I changed to Acetone. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I know of that I can use this in as it will affect plastic. Yes I have heard the horror stories of possible  flashing (Flames -Igniting) but have NEVER experienced it and I have been using it for 6 years now. COMPLETELY SATISFIED! Highly recommend CMX.

Hi Alan:

I often content with somewhat rapid dirt/grim build up since I run 20-25 car trains with real coal, pulled by motors with cursed traction tires.  I know that perhaps I make life a bit harder that way, but I value practical realism, and take the resultant extra cleaning headaches in stride.  That is why I was considering a cleaning car that I run more often, especially these days, as I am running longer real-coal trains much  more often.  Do you suppose that the CRC allows the rails a degree of 'grime -resistance', if you will?

Incidentally, I am somewhat jealous of your consist lengths.  I am happy and content to have a layout in the tight space I do, but if I ran 'just' 30 cars with helpers, the beginning of the train would be separate from the rear by a only few car lengths!

CurtisH posted:

Personally I have tried, and have several although NOT the two GRJ has suggested. Finally broke down and bit the rail and bought CMX. What a mistake messing with the others. I love it. I was using 91% isopropyl but after talking with some others, some using CMX and some not, I changed to Acetone. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I know of that I can use this in as it will affect plastic. Yes I have heard the horror stories of possible  flashing (Flames -Igniting) but have NEVER experienced it and I have been using it for 6 years now. COMPLETELY SATISFIED! Highly recommend CMX.

Yikes.  I suppose it would be quite a surprise to be lazily watching your cleaning train traverse the system, only to witness a spontaneous eruption out the back of your track cleaning car.

From Train Room Gary’s world headquarters.

I use CRC 2-26® for track cleaning duties and for all plastic parts that need lubrication.

Gary 🎄

CurtisH posted:

Yes I have heard the horror stories of possible  flashing (Flames -Igniting) but have NEVER experienced it and I have been using it for 6 years now. COMPLETELY SATISFIED! Highly recommend CMX.

While you haven't experienced the issue, that's a sample of one.

I have personally seen the aftermath of one such incident, and Lee Willis also recounted a story (with pictures) about a similar incident.  Any spark will set Acetone on fire, it has a very low flash point of -4F.  While Isopropyl Alcohol is also very flammable, it's flash point is considerably higher at 53F.