Based on my research thus far, it would appear that the CMX clean machine is an outstanding track cleaning solution. One question is how does this compare to the Atlas DCC friendly track cleaning car or is there even a comparison? Another question is about painting the all brass cmx cleaning car. I noticed on youtube that wolfgang (and some others) painted his cmx clean machine on his Westport Terminal layout and looks great!! What is the best method to paint this car? With an airbrush and is there other solutions (I do not own an airbrush at the moment). Thank you all in advance!
Scale Coat I paint would be a good choice. It is for wood and metal. It comes in a 6 oz spray can http://www.weavermodels.com/page8.html Jeff Schultz did a review of the Atlas car for MRH here http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/864 Also there was a very good thread on this board on track cleaning http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=111157 Thanks to GreyOne for the No Ox comments here and one on MRH too http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/146 Steve
Thank you, that is the kind of information I was seeking. So, it would appear that the Atlas cleaning car works very well. I think a good combination would be two atlas cars and the cmx car. Of course my planned lone Atlas FP7 loco probably would not be able to pull all three cars and a caboose (CMX car in HO weighs about 1 pound). I could either add another loco to the consist or run two MOW trains I guess. The reason I am thinking of two Atlas cleaning cars is on the first pass both could be operated in vaccum mode. Then on the second pass one car can be grinding and the second car polishing. The CMX car would then be used on the final pass. Yep, it is a bit overkill but the whole clean track issue has me a little obssesed
Just a thought if you are running two Atlas cars with a CMX - For the first pass I would run the first car on vacuum, followed by the CMX car and then the other Atlas on grind. For the second pass the Atlas car on polish, the next Atlas car on vacuum followed by the CMX bringing up the rear. My thought is this would give you (in two passes) Vacuum + Clean + Grind + Polish + Vacuum + "Damp mop". You would have a vacuum pass over the track after of all the stuff you ground/polished back on the track before you put on a final wet run. I'm considering the Atlas car for the vacuum feature (I did the No Ox as recommended by GreyOne). I was thinking of pushing it ahead of the loco to vacuum up anything before the loc runs over it one more time. This would also allow the car to work any dead end sidings to the end of the track. I also am considering a front "bumper" made from a magnet to remove any metal items from the track. Of course free advise like this is only worth what you pay for it. Steve
OK I admit it. I bought a CMX car (N Scale) about three years ago and have never used it. Paid $100 for it to boot. I'm convinced though that they are good!
I use a Aztec Monsoon and plan on getting a Atlas car; I want to run them spaced by a 50' Boxcar or maybe even two so the Monsoon put the alcohol and scrubs the track then a second or two the Atlas car can vacuum the track and give the Alcohol a chance if you will.
I still have not purchaed any of these yet as I have been busy dumping money on locos and some rolling stock (which I need to slow down to spend that money on the train room). I just hope the Atlas cars are still around when it comes time that I am ready to buy. The CMX car seems to have good availability.
I finally purchaed the CMX Clean Machine, arrived 27 Feb 2012, almost two since my last post in this thread....this is indeed a lifetime hobby, it takes a lifetime to get all the stuff I am amazed at how well the CMX clean machine works and really do not see a need for any additional cars except maybe the Atlas car for its vaccum. I have decided to stay away from bright boy type rollers due to the possibilty of micro-scratches on the rail and thus allowing organic material to accumulate fasters.
I wanted to buy the CMX cleaner at the OKC show last year. But despite CMX actually having a booth there as a manufacturer, they didn't have any to sell, and none of the vendors did either. I get that the show prohibits manufacturers from selling direct to protect their vendors, but I would think it would be EXTREMELY high on the priority list to make sure at least one vendor had them in stock. I just thought that was kinda poor planning on their part and they lost a sale and customer as a result. The next week someone advertised two Aztec cleaning cars on the N-Scale Yard Sale group and I bought them instead. (used, but both for about half of what the CMX costs)
