Good strategy to clean swithces

[jettrainfan]

I was assigned to clean switches today at the CV&WS model railroad club, but wanted to run trains... so, i got a 2 gondolas, a caboose and my Bachmann spectrum 4-4-0 out of Cuyahoga yard(first clip is it leaving cuyahoga yard) and set off to work! It was actually pretty efficient, because i didn't have to come back for more Q-tips or carry them around and forget them (a couple junior members have a habit of leaving them on the layout). Now if only i can find a way to kit bash a proper alcohol car for the job...but that's for another day 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyPE-CiDsmc

This is worth a try to make your track cleaning chores a bit easier (and a bit more fun...).

[jonathan]

Maintenance can be fun! 

Thanks for sharing.  Enjoyed it.

The reason it all worked so well is because the Locomotive is B&O!

Regards,

Jonathan

[CNE Runner]

Thanks for sharing that excellent video JT. Gosh, I love to see/hear an American 4-4-0...'sure miss running my two. I noticed that you seemed to have a problem with the Q-tip coming apart on sharp pieces of rail (or turnouts). I had the same problem and have stopped using Q-tips for that reason. I have been using an IHC track cleaning car (caboose) and am very pleased with the results. I think a perfect combination would be to run a dry-method car over the layout first; then follow up with the IHC car. Another nice thing about the IHC car is that my GE-45 Ton locomotive can pull it without difficulty...heck, even the Plymouth has no problem.

Thanks again,
Ray

[jward]

when i was in n scale, i used to insert an index card soaked in solvent between the stock rail and point, hold the point firmly against the stock rail, and pull the card from between them. it is an easy way to clean an otherwise impossible to reach place.

[jettrainfan]

Sorry for bringing this back up, its been 4 days, but it was on the second page...

ANYWAY, as i said in the beginning, i was looking for something to hold alcohol in and what i meant was, something you can stick in a freight car, and it wont spill (you know how slack works wonders with making a smooth run a bit ruff). i had one of my old film cases (the container that holds the film when you get it out of the box) and it works perfectly! To make sure it was right,filled it halfway with alcohol and then i tipped it over upside down, it passed that and then, chucked it at my fence, and it stayed sealed and not a spill. So if you got one of these containers laying around and you like my idea, I'd recommend adding it!

http://www.instructables.com/image/FHLMF10F47WY744/Film-Container-CO2-Rocket.jpg

^ (note not my picture, and some cases are pure black, i recommend clear)

[Doneldon]

jtf-

If you use one of the later plastic film canisters, the ones with the bump on the lid to accommodate the end of the film spool, you can cut a small hole in the bump and access the contents without having to handle the canister or open it. This saves many seconds each time you need some cleaning juice which translates to plenty of saved minutes when cleaning a whole pike's turnouts. It also avoids major spills which will happen sooner or later if the cap is off of the container.

                               -- D