QUOTE (markw @ 1 Apr 2007, 17:56)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Just a quick question for all you dcc gurus.
Are electronic track cleaners such as the guagemaster HF1 suitable to be used with DCC.
Cheers
Mark
To add to 80class' comments -a big no no.
Once track & wheels are clean with DCC they tend to stay cleaner for longer with frequent running.
You have to either resort to manual cleaning or use one of the so called "track cleaning wagons". To be quite honest, most of them will not actually clean dirty track - they help to keep clean track clean. The Roco track cleaning wagon is one & we use them ourselves.
One of the few that will clean really dirty track is made by Lux-Modellbau (cannot find the website URL, but can look for it if you want), but it's expensive at nearly £250 for the motorized cleaner & vacuum cleaner wagons ! We have sold quite a few to modellers who have OHL equipment, lots of inaccessable track & 1 to a guy who runs OO DCC outdoors.
We have found that the Peco track rubber is too abrasive & can leave a rubbery residue on the track, it also can scratch the track surface & make things worse. A softer one such as the Roco is better - Express Models also do a similar softer one. Our liquid of choice is commercial surgical spirt as it does not leave a residue if left to evaporate afterwoods. (take care with fumes ect).
Hope this helps.