Model Railroading > Track Cleaning Action. Gotta Make It Fun.

I've been concentrating on scenery and backdrops lately so it was time to have some fun running trains. However, I soon discovered that the recent series of good storms here in Northern California had deposited a fair amount of crap on the rails of the main that run through my attic and gummed up the works pretty bad. 

It was time to bring out the rail cleaning train, a single Scaletrains tunnel motor shoving a sled and towing a vacuum car. Hand cleaning with mineral spirits also took place. But, there was a little time to sit on the hillside and fan for a few minutes. 

The crew of East Bay Industrial ex SP Athearn Genesis GP38-2 #4842 holds on track 1 waiting for MOW to pass and allow them access to the cement plant. 

But wait! Here comes the SP down grade to deliver some interchange traffic to the short line with a brace of Scaletrains tunnel motors and a SD45 leading the way in dynamic's so the crew of the 4842 waits some more. 

Finally dispatch calls and gives the 4842 access and lines the crossover.  Time to take care of a good customer and head for beans (And maybe a good scotch) with the MOW crew. 

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I knew this had to be a model because those engines were way too CLEAN to be the real thin!  LOL.  And I'll bet that crew on the local just LOVED being stuck for a work extra!  LOL  Seriously, some really nice modeling here, thanks for posting.  

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

ntharalson Wrote:
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> I knew this had to be a model because those
> engines were way too CLEAN to be the real thin! 
> LOL.  And I'll bet that crew on the local just
> LOVED being stuck for a work extra!  LOL 
> Seriously, some really nice modeling here, thanks
> for posting.  
>
> Nick Tharalson,
> Marion, IA

Thanks Nick, and you got me there. Truth be told, I've only started weathering my fleet over the last year and have gotten about a quarter of the way through my freight cars, no locomotives yet. It a process that I really enjoy, and I love seeing what the guy's post here on TO. My loco's will only get mild road grime for the most part as my short line takes very good care of their fleet, but I'm sure there will be an outlier or two. :-)

I really like this scene. And lots of Cement cars!  Hey it's SP, what's not to like,
But that local needed a caboose, and the engineer flicked on the lights but didnye whistle off before moving!
Thanks for sharing. It's all fun.

Nice stuff Chris.
Regards, Jim Evans

Very nice layout!

inyosub Wrote:
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> I really like this scene. And lots of Cement
> cars!  Hey it's SP, what's not to like,
> But that local needed a caboose, and the engineer
> flicked on the lights but didnye whistle off
> before moving!
> Thanks for sharing. It's all fun.

The engineer was thirsty and didn't want to waste the time whistling off! :-) Appreciate the comments, thanks!

Well tuned trackage and no wobbly cars. Nice secenery and who does not love the SP!

Great videos Chris, that's the SP I grew up with, flashing lights and all!

Nathan

Nice work, thanks for the show.
Like the fence line, is that handbuilt or over the counter?
t4p.

TCnR Wrote:
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> Nice work, thanks for the show.
> Like the fence line, is that handbuilt or over the
> counter?
> t4p.


The fence was hand built using ME wood ties cut to size and brown thread. One of our TO members, Rick, was kind enough to teach me the process.

I had forgotten until I saw these photos that the pins are staples cut to size and CA'ed into pre drilled holes.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/23 09:30 by ChrisCampi.

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The layout is looking great Chris.  I need to get down there and check it out in person.

Joe

I have seen those vacuum cars in action and they really do suck up the dust and debris.  I bought one for my layout but plan to use it together wth the CMX track cleaning car using mineral spirits and the Center-line wiper cars.

wingomann Wrote:
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> The layout is looking great Chris.  I need to get
> down there and check it out in person.
>
> Joe

Would love to have you over Joe. 

SPDRGWfan Wrote:
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> I have seen those vacuum cars in action and they
> really do suck up the dust and debris.  I bought
> one for my layout but plan to use it together wth
> the CMX track cleaning car using mineral spirits
> and the Center-line wiper cars.

Jim, they work well after a little work. Amazing how much fuzz they pick up. The CMX car would be a good choice for a bigger layout like yours. I've been on the fence about picking one up  I can clean mine in half a hour by hand and I kind of enjoy it. Sort of like washing your favorite car on a nice day thing. 

Aha, thanks for the details. I have been assigned to build a section of fence using a bag of hand-me-down narrow guage ties.
We'll see...

> -----
> > Nice work, thanks for the show.
> > Like the fence line, is that handbuilt or over
> the
> > counter?
> > t4p.
>
>
> The fence was hand built using ME wood ties cut to
> size and brown thread. One of our TO members,
> Rick, was kind enough to teach me the process.
>
> I had forgotten until I saw these photos that the
> pins are staples cut to size and CA'ed into pre
> drilled holes.

JETRR Wrote:
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> Well tuned trackage and no wobbly cars. Nice
> secenery and who does not love the SP!

Makes me think back watching a train going by in Georgetown part of Seattle WA. Box cars were swaying so much looked like they might derail at any time from our view point about ten fft off the track against a building.
 

ChrisCampi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SPDRGWfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I have seen those vacuum cars in action and
> they
> > really do suck up the dust and debris.  I
> bought
> > one for my layout but plan to use it together
> wth
> > the CMX track cleaning car using mineral
> spirits
> > and the Center-line wiper cars.
>
> Jim, they work well after a little work. Amazing
> how much fuzz they pick up. The CMX car would be a
> good choice for a bigger layout like yours. I've
> been on the fence about picking one up  I can
> clean mine in half a hour by hand and I kind of
> enjoy it. Sort of like washing your favorite car
> on a nice day thing. 

Even with all the right cleaning cars, I'll have to run back and for a lot with the 11 tracks in staging.  Attached is a photo during construction about 18 months ago.

Cheers,
Jim

 

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I agree your fences are completely amazing!

-Jason

rapidotrains Wrote:
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> I agree your fences are completely amazing!
>
> -Jason

Thank you Jason. Looking forward to seeing more of your amazing layout.