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 Posted - December 22 2011 : 03:01:28 AM
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I have liked this Life-Like track cleaning piece since I was a teen in the 70s. I have never seen or known of this car to sell for a $20+ price... Was advertised on auction as a Tyco item. I repleced the one I had a few years ago and bought a boxed one of the same, but got it for less than $8.00...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/270873871022?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
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Posted - December 22 2011 : 08:28:43 AM
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 went abit high Eh?
I have 2 of the same Just missing a cap on one 
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Posted - December 22 2011 : 11:32:54 AM
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I have a couple of them, too, I have heard the plastic tanks leak, though, since they're split in the middle? WHO would design something like that?!   Anyway, makes a great piece of rolling stock, but I wouldn't use either for a track cleaner. I don't remember where I got them, or how much I paid, probably came in a box lot I bought at one time. And Model Power actually makes a similar piece, but it's not a track cleaner, just a tank on the flat, I think. Maybe a repro of this one. They seem to be remaking many of the Marx, Life-Like, and Tyco cars again.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - December 22 2011 : 11:57:25 AM
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I never used mine as a track cleaner in the 70s.. I had it sittin on a side track as decor along with the Life-Like crane, that was way too light weight to use...
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
Edited by - walt on December 22 2011 10:03:00 PM
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Posted - December 23 2011 : 05:57:42 AM
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That stuff made the plastic ties brittle.
However, it was/is nonabrasive.
The Walther's "Brite-Boy" and other "track eraser" cleaners Are abrasive. Tiny scratches on any rail.
How can you tell? Rub those things perpendicular to the rails, or parallel to the ties... scratches!
I... use a petrol-based product. While it may make the rail look a bit greased in a dark shade, it continues to be conductive. Every now and then you may check some switch points or frogs to see the dirty gunk gathering, and you wouldn't want to run your fingers on the rails and then touch your face, i.e. eyes, but I have yet to have any problems with any locomotive or electrical rail-to-wheel pick-up/wiper problems. Use a cotton cloth to wipe the rails if desired. But to clean the wheels of your locomotive is a whole lot easier with this stuff.
Power your locomotive to a wall or track bumper... dab some (I first used the GNC petrol with vitamine E) gunk to a toothpick or wooden sliver, dab some on the wheels and go for throttle-up... wheels rotating apply more gunk as if zipping sand between rail and wheel(s).
This same stuff is also good for lubing up gears. Do not use white gear-lube for track and wheel cleaning. This does more than clean the rails, it almost gives a permanant slicking effect to any traction dependant pulling locomotives. You would need to use alcohol or vinegar to strip that stuff off wheels and traction tires. And then you would need to recondition the wheels with the petrol application.
Sorry if this is long-winded or inappropriate information.
Dry lubricant... Kadee sells graphite powder for dry-lubrication applications.
Wanna save some more money and hassle?
Use your pencil.
They are not making LEAD for pencils. It is graphite. And it's very controllable. It's got it's own manageable applicator and can be shaven to a powder or concentrated to a sharp point or tiny crevice. Matter of fact, there is even a device in which you can hone it to a precise point with great ease. ...also known as a pencil sharpener.
This concludes my input from the Cheepo Depot Department, Inc, Co. Ltd... co-op... etc.
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
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