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 Posted - July 24 2016 : 1:18:14 PM
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A clean machine. Set of Bachmann Billboards in tow at El Paso Model Train Club.
 
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Posted - July 24 2016 : 2:14:31 PM
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I Have a 3 car set of Tyco PRR passenger cars . Got them today.
frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Posted - July 24 2016 : 2:21:47 PM
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| Great find!
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Posted - July 24 2016 : 6:43:08 PM
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neat set , Chops
Only have the Glade boxcar
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Posted - July 24 2016 : 7:11:18 PM
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My track cleaning train:
First is the engine. It could be any engine heavy enough to run on moderately dirty track and powerful enough to pull cars that drag along pretty hard. In this case, it's a ROCO Shark.
Next, the cattle car has a Masonite pad under it. This is an idea made famous by the late, great Wizard of Monterrey, John Allen. The nails glued to it go up into holes drilled in the car floor so the pad slides along the track. This knocks off the bulk of dust and carbon. John Allen would include these cars in regular trains to keep the track clean all the time. On my ruling grade, it's all I can do to get trains up the hill without this extra drag, so I just use it when cleaning track.
Behind the Masonite pad is a Centerline Products track cleaning car. It has a brass cylinder with a cloth wrapped around it that rolls down the track in a well in the car. The car comes with some stuff called Goo Gone, which is about like cleaning the track with honey and lemonade. Avoid that! I use denatured alcohol.
Last but not least is the Lifelike track cleaning car. It drags a felt pad along the track, which is intended to be soaked with cleaning fluid. I run it dry to wipe off the alcohol from the Centerline car. The felt pad attaches with a screw so it can be removed and washed periodically.
Until very recently, I just used the car with the Masonite pad, and is seemed to be doing a good job. Even so, a couple of my locomotives would still crud up their wheels in only a couple of scale miles.
Similarly, I had used the other track cleaning cars singly with limited success.
This combination has made a real difference. The engines that used to get dirty wheels in record time now run on and on and remain clean. The combination of the Masonite's polishing action and the alcohol mopping up the dust and probably cleaning up some oils that couldn't be seen nor felt has made a huge difference.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - July 24 2016 : 7:21:07 PM
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| Cool report there Don. I'm curious about a couple of things: One is (since I've been messing with the idea of an elevated figure 8 and don't want to spend all the time spinning wheels), what is the grade on the "ruling grade" of your layout? Secondly, I remember using cleaning fluid (carbon tetrachloride) for various things as a kid. Is that what you use in that last car? Your track cleaning train is a great idea considering the dubious ability of a single track cleaning car to get the job done. And it makes for kind of a neat looking and functional consist.
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Posted - July 24 2016 : 11:23:00 PM
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The ruling grade is somewhere around 5% and includes some 18 inch radius curves, which also reduces the tonnage rating.
It ought to be possible to make a figure 8 with about a 3% grade from bottom to top if the whole distance from the underpass to the overpass is hill. A basic figure 8 with 18" radius curves and a 90 degree crossing has about 100 inches of track from bottom to top and a 3 inch grade separation should be enough to fit most equipment under the bridge if it's a through truss or through girder bridge (as opposed to a deck bridge). That should allow you to pull about 2/3 more cars than I can with the same power and traction.
As for cleaning fluid. I put alcohol on the second to last car, and nothing on the last car. I figure if I wipe off the alcohol with the last car, it will leave less residue. No need to gas yourself with chlorinated hydrocarbons. 
Carpe Manana!
Edited by - scsshaggy on July 24 2016 11:23:50 PM
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Posted - July 25 2016 : 10:13:52 AM
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These are some really cool sets so far!
Here are some shots of my Tyco Amtrak streamliner.
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Posted - July 25 2016 : 7:17:47 PM
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Eric, if you're ever looking for another Tyco "GG-?",
there is one just like yours in Victoria that needs a forever home.
(Or however long the PT lasts)
Evan
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Posted - July 26 2016 : 06:22:57 AM
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| Is it the same Amtrak scheme as above? I believe I already have two of the Amtrak units, but I do like the Tyco GG-1. How much are you asking for it?
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Posted - July 27 2016 : 12:18:22 AM
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The very same road # and all.
It's not mine, it's at the Railhead.
I'm sure if you wanted it, the price could be negotiated.
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Posted - July 27 2016 : 11:01:37 AM
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| Gotchya! I think I'll pass as I don't realllllly need another Amtrak unit. Thanks for the heads up!
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Posted - July 27 2016 : 6:45:33 PM
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quote:Gotchya! I think I'll pass as I don't realllllly need another Amtrak unit. Thanks for the heads up!
Originally posted by DaCheez - July 27 2016 : 11:01:37 AM
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I do hehe 
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