Apologies if you already have one of these, but having read quite a few good comments about this kit over on ‘that other forum’, I bought one last month and I’ve finally got around to assembling and testing it. http://www.lanarkshiremodels.com/lanarkshiremodelsandsupplieswebsite_149.htm Thought it may be of interest to anyone with track that’s difficult to clean, inside tunnels, too far to reach etc., or in my case under catenary. I also managed to pick up a Hornby Brake (Guards) Van for the kit to fit into, a few weeks ago for under a fiver on eBay. Comes with etched parts which are easy to assemble and solder. This is then screwed into the chassis of the brake van after cutting a suitable sized hole in the chassis and body floor. I also sprayed a bit of black paint on any of the more visible bits. Cutting a hole in the brake van wasn’t too difficult, in fact the biggest problem I’ve had is replacing the Hornby couplings. I now have a E-Z mate screwed to one end for connection to my Bachmann track cleaning car, and a small tension lock screwed on the other end for loco connection. (Picture above shows original Hornby coupling(s), one of which fell off). The brass roller has a strip of J cloth type material wrapped around it secured with small pieces of masking tape. It then just sits on the track within the made up frame and rotates as the brake van moves. Although “designed to be a maintenance cleaner used during operating sessions and exhibitions”, the main reason I bought this was, as mentioned above …. ………… for cleaning the track under the knitting. A few drops of cleaning fluid can be put on the cloth (I used IPA) in which case they recommend tying a piece of thread around the roller. I knew I’d find a use for that pink cotton one day As you can see, it works. Only problem I’ve had so far is the roller getting slightly stuck and not rotating, which can sometimes also makes the brake van derail. But, this has only happened recently since I’ve added IPA and the cloth has become worn through use over the last couple of days. I’ve added a bit of extra weight to the brake van and it seems to have cured the problem, however I do need to change the cloth as well. The only other product I’ve read about that would almost certainly work for me (and I know some members already have), is the CMX clean machine (HO/OO). But it’s not exactly a cheap piece of kit and seems to be out of stock in most of the UK suppliers at present. At just over £28 including postage, I think I’ve found the answer to my particular track cleaning problems. Just to add I have no connection with Lanarkshire Model Supplies, just a happy customer. Ed
