Track Cleaning

[Ray H]

Looking through some of Mr Freezer's track plan books I find a number with more than one level where it would seem to be vary difficult to get to the tracks to clean the rails, let alone re-rail any derailed trains/vehicles. I can understand having removable scenery but what happens when it is track over track?

 

The books are priced at 2/- or 2/6! In modern days we have the new gadgets afixed to wagons - do they work? - but they didn't always have that option in times gone by (although I do recal the Tri-ang track cleaning car).

 

Does DCC rule out hidden track based layouts?

[Richard Lee]

I have 'The Railway Modeller Book of Track Plans for Various Locations' by C. J. Freezer.  The layouts are inspirational, but a bit ambitious to my inexperienced eye.  When I have played with the Anyrail  program I have found it difficult to replicate sections of his layouts.  If I were trying to implement one I would simplify it a bit and allow greater space.  However, I am a bit of a newbie and have only been railway modelling for about a year.

 

Edit to add a second paragraph:  Some of his plans seem to be a bit cavalier with access.  For instance, I am not sure that I would have the courage to have a 3 to 4 foot wide baseboard flush against a wall.  With my luck, I would expect derailments on the track close to the wall.

[jasp]

There are a many ways of keeping inaccessible track clean:

 

Lanarkshire Model and Supplies do a brake van conversion:

http://www.lanarkshiremodels.com/lanarkshire models and supplies website_087.htm

As do On Tracks:

http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=fromLibrary&guide=66

There is the CMX machine (HO but convertible to 00 etc):

http://www.digitrains.co.uk/manufacturers/cmx.aspx

Among other solutions is a weighted piece of hardboard (rough side down) run under a wagon

At the end of the day, it is essential to keep wheels clean, not just track

 

JIm