Tidy Track

I've only seen it on the wall at the Springfield show, but there are several pieces of it (like the pads that hook to axles) that had me saying, "I want."

Will definitely give it a try

Tidy Track System

dwhitten:

What is the current track cleaning system/method that you're using?

Bob

Track Cleaining

What I usually do to keep my track clean is pretty simple.  Once a month I have a layout cleaning session.  This includes cleaning the track, cleaning all the wheels on my rolling stock and locomotives, vacuuming the layout and cleaning all of the structures.

To clean my track and keep it clean, I start off by cleaning all of my track with a Bright Boy.  After i scrub all the track, I follow up with the shop vac to clean up any dirt or dust off of the right of way.  Then during all of the other days of the month I run track cleaning cars over the layout during my operating sessions.  These cars are nothing fancy, just a couple of gondolas with Masonite pads mounted underneath the car.  The Masonite pads do a pretty good job of keeping the track clean between the monthly cleaning sessions.  

Now I know that track cleaning has been a long debated discussion among model railroaders.  And it always will be!  Some say that we should stay away from Bright Boy Cleaners because they leave small scratches on the rail that can collect dirt, and the more you use them the worse the problem gets.  And some say that they are fine to use.  I started off using them before I heard all the negative things about them.  But I can say that I haven't seen any problems from using bright boys over my track and I have been using them for 10 years now.

This method has worked fine for me over the years and my biggest pet peeve is dirty track!  So far I haven't had any problems.  

I doubt I will try Tidytrack

Tidy Track

Well after being away from the basement for the last 5 or 6 weeks due to work, I finally went to my local hobby shop and picked up a tidy track system.  At first glance I was really excited to put this thing to the test!  The track cleaning system includes the handle and head that holds the pads, track cleaning solution, 2 extreme cleaning pads, 2 maintenance pads, 4 felt solution pads and 4 felt solution cleaning pads.  The complete system comes with very detailed instructions and was priced reasonable at $29.95

Like I stated above, I haven't done anything to or on the layout for 5 or 6 weeks.  So needless to say track cleaning was the first thing i needed to do to get the layout up and running again!  I read all the directions completely before diving in and followed each step exactly how woodland scenics recommends it. 

The first thing that I have to comment on is how easy this thing is to use!  The grooves in the cleaning pads really hold the rail well and the system does a good job of cleaning the track with very little effort.  The felt pads do a wonderful job of applying the solution and cleaning the rails back off.  I had some worries about the felt pulling apart and/or picking on the switches and crossings.  To my surprise these things did not happen.

The bad side to Tidy track.  I found that the grooved cleaning pads did not work very well on turnouts, grade crossing and railroad crossing at grade.  I ended up having to clean these areas the old fashion way by hand.  The way the pad sits down over the railhead the rest of the pad would catch on crossings and the pads would not glide across the frogs on my turnouts.  This was only the case on the grooved pads, all the felt pads worked well in these areas. 

I felt that the handle was a little bit flimsy.  But did work well on the hard to reach areas!  I did have to apply a little lubrication to the swivel part of the cleaning head to get it to turn and swivel. 

The system is intended to be stored in the original packaging, a smaller storage case would be nice and more convient to store in my tool box.

All and all I am happy with my purchase!  I feel that the tidy track system is an upgrade to my normal cleaning routine and is alot easier!  I would definitely recommend this product.

Painted track

I also forgot to mention that it worked well on my painted track.  The grooves are spaced far enough apart that the edge does not ride against the insides of the rail.

Dust Monkeys

I bought a set of the Dust Monkeys for my N scale. Never really had any dirty track problems before, but I figured what the heck. Anyway I mounted them on a Atlas caboose and a FVM boxcar. Mounting was very easy,and they seem to work just fine. Mine don't pick up much, but then again my track is clean. Figure these will at least help keep it that way.....Mike

tidy track

I think of myself as a bigginer compared to most here so anything i can do to keep track clean and ready helps.  Got the kit and I'm hooked.  Work great and easy to use. IMHO this is a great item.  Dust monkies are next on list.

Dust Monkeys ?

For those of us who are not totally familiar with the product names or nicknames of model train related products, could someone here please explain what a "Dust Monkey" is and where one would get this device/product?

(No, Google is "not your friend", nor is Bing - but sometimes they work fairly well; not in this case)

Search Engines

Sure they are! Use this search term "dust monkey model railroad". All the results you could ever want.

Dust Monkeys are...

From Woodland Scenics(TM) site:

http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/TT4571

Rick

Thank you Alan and Rick

I need to learn to add the qualifier "model railroad" to the search parameters - it sure helps. I had researched the Tidy Track system a little while back, but had not remembered this as one of the components.

You are welcome!

I'm glad that we could help.  I cheated as I knew it was a Woodland Scenic(TM) product, so I went directly to their site and entered "dust" in their search box.

Rick

Tidy Track and Turnouts

I have the Tidy Track System and think it does a good job.  For turnouts, road crossings and in track uncoupling magnets I turn the pads over to the flat side and run the pad over the track (I, um, should I admit to this...read the instructions).  Works very well.  I have also used the system with one pad with the grooved side down to get the guidance and the other pad with the grooved side up for more cleaning power - doesn't seem to matter.

In addition, I run a Roco track cleaning car on the end of at least one freight per operating session, helps keep the track clean and eliminates the accordion action that occurs with free rolling wheels.  Once a week I run a 'cleaning train' with three of the Roco cars and a Stealth Cleaning car from JAM Creations (a west Michigan company).

Bob

N scale, DCC - with a fantasy Michigan shortline, the 'West Huron And Toledo' loosely based on Lake States Railroad and Huron and Eastern trackage.