Track-cleaning concept.

[Brian]

Lets keep the topic abut rail cleaning please

[Mountain Goat]

Yes. I do go off on tangents.

Has anyone designed and built their own rail cleaning device? The other question is has anyone built their own wheel cleaning device?

[RSR Engineer]

I feel that's also partly down to me for mentioning differentials in the first place.

Sorry,
Artur

[RSR Engineer]

Thank you for the additional feedback, gentlemen. Sorry to be slow on this but I took a break from modelling to play trains for a while. (Still am, actually.)

Clearly, any track that is not used for a while can get tarnished and interfere with the running of the locos, even a hidden one. So I had to send the track-cleaning "team" down there. It took five return runs to get the track clean but it did the job. Everywhere else the tracks are staying nice and shiny, due in large part, I think, to a total ban on plastic wheels.

Anyway, the matter of rail squeal on curves wouldn't leave me alone either, so I did a bit of research. I found an article on Wikipedia entitled "Rail squeal", which turned out to be gibberish. The German version was more useful (but typically stuffed with pleonasms) and confirms that rail squeal is caused (a) by flanges binding on the rails, usually on tramlines, and (b) on "normal" curves by one wheel having to slip on the rail due to the different distance travelled. I translated the German Wikipedia article:

Rail squeal arises on curved track because the wheels of a given axle travel different distances, as a result of differing radii of the rails. Because the wheels are forced to turn at the same speed, by virtue of being fixed to the axle, this is only possible if one wheel slips on the rail, instead of purely rolling. On very sharp curves, e.g. on tramways, additional noise is caused by the flanges rubbing against the side of the rail.

The matter of wheelslip in ordinary running (on the model railway) is still under investigation. It is actually quite difficult IMHO to see accurately if the driving wheels are really purely rolling, and with diesel and electric locos and tender drives it's virtually impossible.

Cheers,
Artur

Like I say, there's been no new work done to speak of, but there are a few additional videos on flickr, in case anyone's interested:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/188026976@N08/

[Conmaira]

My experience with high frequency track cleaners are they are best left in the shop. Others may like them.

I personally have had no issue with these and certainly have never seen any pitting on wheels as a result of using them. I have seen pitting on chrome wheels which I think was down to problems in the original plating.

I understand that DCC controllers should not be used at the same time or sealed motors but as I am analogue and have no motors of that type, it doesn't affect me.

[Walkingthedog]

That’s fair enough. Nothing is better than just wiping the track with a cloth.

[Conmaira]

The rail cleaning vehicles currently available seem vastly expensive to me for what they actually are. Chadwick Model Railways (youtube channel) did his own test recently and was surprised by the amount of junk the Dapol version collected - basically a mini vacuum on wheels. He didn't seem impressed by the CMX machine.

I guess in the end its down to what you prefer -I've heard of people using wood offcuts with degrees of success!

[Walkingthedog]

It really depends how accessible your track is. Cleaning wagons like the CMX, not the Dapol version, do a really good job. I can reach all my track so occasionally, perhaps twice a year, I clean it with IPA. The rough side of hardboard is very good. Best advice is get rid of plastic wheels.

[Dave S]

IPA? I think I used to drink that in me student days...hic...sober now..ah yes, familiar with isopropyl alcohol.
Must get on board with the abbreviations.
I've read that clean rail is more important for DCC, to allow data aspect to get through, (noted: some responders not on DCC) .

[Walkingthedog]

Good practice to have clean rails what ever you use. Clean wheels mean clean track.