Dean Park Station Video 99 - CMX Track Cleaner
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- čas přidán 12. 12. 2016
- Several folks have been asking me the best way to keep my tracks clean, especially under sections that it is difficult to reach with the humble track rubber. I cover the CMX track cleaner in this video.
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Hello Dave, it's taken 4 years but now I have purchased a CMX track cleaner and despite its cost it's the best investment I've made and the only cleaner that does a thorough job, I've got a 00 gauge garden railway with about 260 feet of running line, my knees aren't up to getting down to manually clean track and this CMX has the cleaning force of a track rubber without the damage they cause to the tracks, don't be put off by the price as you will not find anything better, believe me I've tried them all, thank you Dave for your detailed demonstration.
Good demonstration Dave and a great running session as well. Thanks. David.
thanks for the demo will have to get one .running session great looking forward to the next one
I got one last Christmas Dave, only just started using it. Awesome bit of kit.
Excellent review as always. you have convinced me, a Scot, and I am awaiting one to be sent to me in the post. Thank you for your advice. G.C.
Great video Dave. Thank you. Looking forward to your next update!
Hi, I am working very hard to make sure there is something to show in the next update! Not easy when I have Christmas to get ready for as well lol. Dave
Many thanks for this info Dave, I have been toying with the idea of getting one of these for a while, and now I have seen this video, my mind is made up and one will be ordered.. Happy Xmas to you and your family.. Regards from Geoff at Maryville Junction
Hi Dave great topic track cleaning was never so much fun haha ,a trio of HST's a 37/4 and a Deltic ! Fantastic ! the railway is really looking superb thanks for sharing and best wishes from East Yorkshire 👍
Cheers, glad you enjoyed it! ;-) Dave
It must be good if a Scotsman parted with £100 for it!! They are reknowned for having very short arms and very deep pockets! All jokes aside, great video and very informative.
Another great tutorial Dave, I wish I's bought one a few years back, a little beyond me these days...That's what old age does for you!...Best wishes...Bob
Hi, I toyed with getting one for a couple of years so saved up for it....but I did so in the hope it would last me many many years. Cheers. Dave
I've got to get myself one of those CMX cleaners. I have an old Triang cleaner which works in the same way. I also use the Goo Gone with a cloth to clean my loco wheels ... Steve
That's a very useful tool,plus you get to run it behind a loco ! I might have to invest in one of these in the new year as I get bored with a track rubber lol . Great running session at the end Dave,HSTs look well running on the layout ! Cheers,Andy
Awesome thanks for that Dave, just looked into the CMX myself and wanted other opinions before shelling out over $100 but I think I will invest in one now woot.
Dave....greetings ....thanks for another informative vid, much appreciated. I am defo sold on wanting one of these, will see what santa brings.....cheers....steve
That track cleaner looks great and if someone doesn't like the look of it they could always paint it to look like a tanker wagon I suppose and loved the running session at the end your layout always amazes me thanks for sharing.
Hi, thanks. I suppose they could paint it, but for all the time its actually on the layout I just run it behind a loco for 30 mins, then put it back in the fiddle yard siding. Dave
Another cracking video Dave! much get myself a CMX, regards Richard :)
Hi Dave. Thanks very much for showing us your CMX cleaner in action. I also use a PECO track rubber and find it ideal for removing tarnish, however a friend who is a member of the local model railway society tells me they have banned them for use on club layouts as they can leave small metal deposits that can be attracted onto locos or any magnetic train part and therefore contribute to fouling of the loco motor. (The trick would seem to be to use a small "dustbuster" vacuum cleaner and quickly go over the track immediately afterwards.) The club uses clean cloths and methylated spirits to clean their track only now.
I have also used Goo Gone (bought online as I can't find it here in Western Australia) and can attest, it is very good at removing oily grime that has built up.
Nice running session to follow - great.
Cheers and happy Christmas, Angus
Hi Angus, yeah would just seem sensible to run a vacuum over the track periodically to remove the bits from the track rubber"! I try to give the tracks a good vacuum every 1-2 months - without hoovering up all of the track side scenics!! lol Dave
They are good dave ..I have had a few years now and it sure saves a lot of work ...
Yup, I got mine after seeing it on your layout Dave H.
thanks for this vid. been thinking of getting one of these coz i have quite a bit of track to clean. so i think ill get one
I think I must have got mine about the same time as you Dave and swear by it, yes it is expensive but it is a good solid piece of kit and should last for years, more importantly it's a track cleaner that actually works!! I have tried all sorts of cleaner in mine and one of the best ones I have come across which is also cheap is surgical spirit. Great vid mate. ...........Graham
Yeah but its now £136 online, that's a lot more than I paid just a year ago! Brexit exchange rate I suspect, with a bit of extra added on!! Dave
I think I paid under a £100 for mine when I got it but can't remember the exact amount although the receipt will be in the box somewhere. The price hike has got be something like you said because we haven't had 36% inflation!! ..........Graham
very informative vid - thanks
I must get one of these
Hello sir. I remember saying some time ago about how good it would look if you had overhead power cables. You said that you don't because it would be difficult to get access to clean the tracks. Now you have this, though......
I just happen to click and watch this video and very glad that I did. Thanks you so much for taking the time to show and explain how and what you did with the CMX and cleaners. Very honest look at how you clean your track. I just used a Deluxe Materials product for the first time and very impressed with their product line, and now I have heard you opinion about "Track Magic". Thanks so much for the look in on how you do things. I have subscribed to your channel and very impressed with you layout. The ballasting and track are magnificent. Again, thanks for the video and will be looking in on you other videos. Cheers
D. Muse (Washington Terminal Co. Model RR)
Not sure if you would try it but I find denim from old jeans works brilliantly
well impressed !.
Hi Dave,great video,and a great track cleaning car.I run n Gauge Japanese trains myself but appreciate all aspects and scales.i bought a tomix track cleaning car last year,works great as a hoover but the cleaning aspect of it is not as good,it does nt like inclines or points,it just snags or uncouples itself,so one of these is on the cards I think.
I also use both the products you do,goo gone and track magic,however I ve found a product on eBay,it s an alchohol based cleaner called Isopropanol,it smells just like track magic but is a fraction of the price.its worked ok for me tho I have only done it once so far.Just thought I d let you know.
Keep up the good work mate,spot on layout!
Paul
Hi, thanks for that info on the cleaning fluid! I cant fault the CMX....apart from the current price of £136...which I think is a bit of a joke! Dave
Hi Dave, I bought one of these a long time ago but it only came with the kd couplers. I've searched eBay for tension lock couples for it but can't seem to find any. Do you know where the tension lock couplers for this can be bought from? Thanks
My God this wagon's expensive - but beautifully made. Mine came with Kadee couplings only. The easiest solution I found was to tow it with a NEM coupling pocket equipped loco because you can get Kadees to fit NEM pockets. It only takes a minute to temporarily fit a Kadee to the loco and you're off. I have to double head mine because it is used on the grandchildren's train set which has uncoupling ramps and other bits that stand slightly proud of the rails; these cause enormous drag when the wagon goes over them. Far and away the best (and cheapest) solvent to use is automotive brake cleaner. It leaves no residue at all and I bought ten litres for £12 from my local auto factor. I've found it best to do an initial clean and then fit a clean pad for the final runs.
Another great video and demonstration Dave, Keep up the great work. Ps I was first to like this vid. Lol
thanks for the video. I don't know if it is bad for my tracks but I use methylated spirits it seems to work ok
i got one and i like it alot not sure about the coupler as my locos i got are the normal ones
CMX is now almost £150 now. They do seem to do a good though, so going to have to save up for one.
grate info as alwayes have your sell a merry cherismas and you get a load gifts for the model
*Great* info - grates are usually found at the bottom of fireplaces or in gutters in roadways, or used to 'grate cheese' !!
I use mine with IPA and noticed once it has evaporated from the track and a few days later the track tops can look a bit mottled, why is this? Also, I see you have Googone, that seems like an oil to me? When using Googone do you fill the whole tank up with it? One moe thing, where can I get a tension lock coupling for it, mine only came with Kadee type couplings? Cheers, Andy.
I'm in Australia and ordered one from the US, they are a very expensive bit of a kit and find it derails all the time, I don't have a wheel gauge yet but has anyone checked the distance between the wheels,and here I buy a 5 litre bottle of INOX which costs about $80 AU and it is absolutely brilliant cleaning the rails and wheels and we have a lot of trouble getting the replacement fabric here and it's very expensive as it's in US dollars, so today I went to a fabric shop and bought some aotomotive fabric and it's 1 square metre which I'm cutting into strips and it cost $18 AU and it works a treat, so it's becoming much more viable, but the derailing factor is a major pain in the bum but this might help other users
Hi Dave yes I too like the CMX though I have tried various cleaning fluids Googon doesn't do it for me as I find it still leaves oil deposits. I find Track Magic pretty good. I recently bought myself a HST but hate the Hornby couplers big gaps and all. Fortunately I still had some original Airfix mini couplers that are push fit. The gap is now certainly reduced shame Hornby couldn't produce a NEM pocket though Denis
Hi, I think the problem with the nem and narrow close coupling is that if you are 'pushing' the HST, ie the power car at the rear, the narrow nem seem to tangle and cause issues on curves. The wider tension lock couplings buffer together better and allow trains to run well while being pushed. This is perhaps why Hornby has stuck with this form of coupling?? Just my take on it! lol. Track magic is superior to Goo Gone in my opinion. Cheers. Dave
It's funny that you're changing the Kadee couplers to Tension Lock couplers. I've bought a few British trains (I ensure they come with NEM connectors before I order any British train) and I change the Tension Lock couplers to Kadee.
I have not gone down the kadee route yet. Dave
I understand. If you live in the UK, you're better off using Tension Lock since that seems to be the standard everyone uses there on your side of the pond. But in the US, almost everyone uses Kadee here. I just wish NEM pockets were a thing over here on our side of the pond.
Hello Dave
I bought a CMX some years ago and have only now brought it out to use.
However, I don't have any couplings for it and have been unable to find any tension locks to fit.
Can you le me know what couplings, preferably tension locks, I can use. Thanks
Robert
Great video Dave and I appreciate the review of the track cleaner. Would you recommend this over the Dapol version?
Happy New Year buddy!
Ash.
Hi, I have heard he dapol one is not very effective and the vacuum cleaner on it is p*sh! But I looked at the two, and went with the one I thought looked more solidly built. Its all down to ££ I suppose. Happy new year to you.Dave
Hi Dave I've ordered this myself and its here now didn't realise how small it was but what a job it does didn't realise how dirty my track was don't suppose you know where I can order the pads from cheers Brentlea junction
it is small isn't it!?! I got pads from DCC supplies. But if they are out of stock (which they always are!!) then google it. Digitrains also stock them. Cheers. Dave
it is does I've put bigger wheels on it now but I've got to test it next I've got two 68s coming from leight Collett the guy on fb
Hi Dave, Another excellent video. I also have a CMX cleaning wagon. When running over Peco code code 75 track the felt pad tends to catch/snag on the fine scale point springs, I wonder if you have experienced the same problem? Regards John.
Hi, I use Code 100, and have not had any such issues. I guess its all down to the profile of the track. Dave
John Cave A bit late but the pad needs to fit tight to the plate, check the spring housing on your points and ensure the retaining lugs are flush. I don’t have any problems running CMX on Code 75.
Thank you for your video. Have made an order to dcc supplies for a week ago. Have also contacked them by mail, but no reaction at all.
Is this normal, have they covid-closed or ??
Best regards
Bent Lykke Kristensen
Aarhus, Denmark
Bent Lykke Kristensen hi, checked your spam box on your email? In case any reply ha gone in there? Try email them again perhaps?
A worthwhile investment when you have as much track as you do. It would take way longer by hand and is probably more thorough - the loco doesn't get bored and wander off to do something else! ;-)
lol, yeah track cleaning with a rubber is the least exciting job....I'd rather do housework!
Steady on there! Is your missus a subscriber!!!
I just picked up one of these cleaning cars my self, I just use isopropyl in mine, Is there any thing else you can use as a cleaning pad?? they are a little pricy
Hi, I aint sure, I had thought about felt, but that would rip and the fibres might get into the track work. Dave
@@DeanPark Bought some automotive fabric very similar today and it's 2 square metre and you simply cut into suitable sized strips and I got change out of $20 AU
that looks amazing still :) I really do love the level crossing how did you make it :) and make the lights work ?? ps have you seen the GWR hst for sale on Hornby :) it hink it would look amazing on your layout but the power cars and a bit expeinsivev
hi, GWR not me area sadly, it does look stunning though. Price is a joke! 4 years ago Hornby HST's were retailing at £125!.....not Hornby are asking £320! For info on the crossing check out my video from last May/June, 'how to make a level crossing'. Cheers. Dave
DaveClass47 I know as soon as I seen the price I jumped out my seat and okay thank you :)
Hi Dave just ordered myself one of these track cleaners for xmas to myself, watch a lot of your videos and have to replay some parts to understand what you are saying with your accent. Does not help I am 70% deaf :). Question - do you use the Goo Gone neat or diluted and why do you not recommend the IPA? , with regards to the Track Majic I watched several Vids where people say in very cold weather the Track Magic causes whel slip. What are your thoughts on this also please.
IPA…it is used to remove details from models, that’s why I avoid it.
Goon gone neat is fine. But I prefer track magic. It doesn’t cause any issues, when dry. Goon gone will need to evaporate as well to stop track work from being slippy.
Great piece of kit! :-)
Hi Dave. Is the Goo Gone safe for wheels with traction tires? Thanks
Hi. I have not got Locos with these tryes. However I have used goon gone on several surfaces, rubberised type plastic too, with no issues.
But not on a loco. I tend to stick to track magic for cleaning my track with the cmx.
Hi Dave, I've been watching your You Tube channel for years, very impressed with your layout and as to the detail just superb. you are lucky to have a large layout, am I right in thinking its in your loft? unfortunately I have a large loft but with little headroom, so when I retired I turned my office into a railway room. My layout is BR Southern region 1950 -1964. The track is all Peco Code 100 and I've fitted third rail around the whole layout with the exception of the steam shed. I have been looking for a good track cleaner and I came across your Video 99. I am writing this to ask you whether you think the CMX track cleaner would work on a third rail system? Your opinion would be appreciated. Many thanks Phil Kirk.
Hi Phil, thanks for your kind words. The CMX doesn’t extend far enough outside the rails to capture a third rail. It’s just the width of two normal rails.
I had mine for over five years and it's the best investment I've made.
I know they are popular and every one love it but the price is crazy for what it is. I know I am getting tired of cleaning by hand and I don't run trains much yet. I may have to say the heck with it and get one.
Scott
yeah its a bit of a catch 22....you dont want to pay that money but its is a handy thing that saves a lot of hard rubbing with a peco track rubber. I'd say bite the bullet and get one...before the price goes up AGAIN! lol Dave
How long does a Tank of Cleaner last before needing a refill?
Depends on how long your track is and how much you want it to release the liquid onto the track. It last quite a while though.
You can get pads at E BAY
And very expensive if you live in Australia, I now make my own and it costs me about $18 AU and it works flawlessly, the 1 sq metre, will outlast me now
Shame they couldn’t make it look like the RHTT.
What about "pushing" the cleaning car, rather than pulling it? Just a thought!
Hi, it can be pushed too... but being quite weighty and using a tension Loco coupler, it can cause the coupler to sag when pushed together. To avoid any possible damage to the loco coupling mechanism I tend to pull it.
just had a look at there website £136.00 , I would like one as lots of people say how good they are but not at that price as you said in the video that's a loco
WOW! Thats ridiculoius! The bloody brexit exhcange rate is shafting us over in this case! £136....i would even think teice at that price. up £35 in a year.....farce! Dave
Better than Digitrrains, £150 on their site.
Thats Madness, no way i would pay that :(
Paul Dickinson If you consider how much use you can get out of it on a reasonable sized railway then it will eventually pay for itself in the long run, however it isn't cheap and this latest price increase is actually ridiculous!. I cannot see how they can justify a 30%+ price increase in 12 months....crazy.
Well thats the thing me & the wife are planning a layout over 3 levels in the garage which is 13 feet by 9 feet, so cleaning is going to be hell
Where did you get the track cleaner car for
dcc supplies
Coming to this video in 2023 and hearing you paid less than a 100 quid for this and it’s basically doubled in 6 years 😢
Off topic - but I just can't help myself...
I am totally baffled as to why, with all the attention to detail that train hobbyists undertake in making their layouts look realistic, why they omit the covered gangways between each passenger cars. We *never* see this (today) in reality. Even E/DMU's (...unlike in the past) have rubber concertina-like gangway covers between each carriage.
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So why do keen train hobbyists leave out this somewhat obvious and simple, yet realistic detail? Surely someone could run out some black slicone-moulded covers and stick them to each end of their passenger stock carriages?
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So for me, all model train layouts look unrealistic - inspite of how much effort is put into modelling the layout in general - because of those awfully obvious light-gaps between each passenger car.
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How are the wee passengers expected to get their tea and sandwiches back from the buffet, without it all being blown away, as they negotiate each carriage gangway? Poor buggers!
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On topic - The CMX track cleaner wagon is pretty cool - but someone with a modellers/watchmakers lathe could easily copy the design - perhaps using a modified cigarette lighter or something (?)
Forgive me for been stupid but why would I spend silly money on this, when you can get a second hand Triang cleaner, some new pads and a bottle of meths for less than £20 ?
Fehya Olan hi. Its up to you what you use of course. I am just highlighting this product and what I think of it.