Build a Standard gauge track cleaner

A homemade cleaning car fills the void

by E.A. DeZubay photos by Jim Forbes

rack-cleaning cars are not uncommon in the world of toy trains, but try telling that to a Standard gauge operator. When I looked around for one of these handy devices for my Standard gauge layout, I couldnt find one. Thats when I decided to make my own. In doing so, I designed a cleaning car thats even more versatile than the O gauge versions Ive seen, thanks to interchangeable cleaning blocks for light- or heavy-duty cleaning. Plus, its simple to build and use. Basically, the cleaning pad and block are pulled along (with no rigid connection) within the frame of a rudimentary two-truck car. The amount of weight that provides the pressure for the abrasive can be changed as needed. The materials for the basic construction include wood lath finishing strips (like those used in plaster work), 114- by 1 4-inch wood strips, and brass or aluminum strips. A Dremel or Jarvis table saw is a great help in cutting the small strips, but a razor saw or an X-Acto strip cutter can also be used. Naturally, youll need some Standard gauge train parts. I chose a set of Lionel no. 500-series Standard gauge trucks and a latch coupler.

Car frame
Cut the lath strips as illustrated (fig. 1) and assemble them into a ladder shape. Because its important to keep everything square, I suggest making a full-scale drawing of the frame to use as a guide. Overlay the drawing with waxed paper or clear plastic, lay the strips into their positions on the overlay, and then glue and clamp the pieces. Once this ladder frame has dried, separate it from the waxed paper and reinforce the joints with small nail brads, pre-drilling the holes to prevent the wood from splitting.

Cleaning pads
The next step is to glue an abrasive pad to the cleaning block. Start by cutting the pad larger than the block. Then glue it to the block (making sure it adheres to the rounded edges), clamp and weight it until the glue has dried, and then trim. A variety of abrasive pads will work. I ordered mine (part nos. 8996797, 896804, and 896811) from Woodworkers Supply, 1125 Jay Lane, Graham NC 27253, phone 800-645-9292. You can also make a second cleaning block that has a thick felt pad for use with liquid cleaning solutions. Instead of permanently gluing this pad in place, you can fasten it to the front and back edges of the block with removable tacks, screws, clamps, or metal plates. Depending on the fastener you select, you may have to shorten the block slightly to maintain clearances.

Cleaning block
The cleaning block is a piece of wood with four pins on its top side that keep it centered in the car frame. Drill four holes about 14-inch deep into the block as shown (fig. 2) and glue the pins into the holes. Round the bottom side slightly (roughly 116-inch off the front and rear edges) to prevent the block from catching on anything as it rides the rails. To get a nice contour, I suggest rocking the block back and forth on a belt sander or on a piece of sandpaper fixed to a flat surface.

Fig. 1 Car frame

14" = 1'-0" scale

4"

13" 414" A

434"

A. by 13 inches B. (4) 14 by 34 by 3 316 to 3 14 inches C C. (2) 14 by 12 by 3 316 to 14 inches 3 D. 1 piece 916 by 916 by 12 inch C

(2) 14

by 34

Top view A

3316" to 314 " B B

D C

1.20"

Section at center B
34"

1.80" B B D C 12"

0.38"
3 " 4

Fig. 2 Cleaning block 1 piece 12 by 3 34 by 4 34 4 pieces 1 14 by 14 dia. dowel 112" Weight rim Drill 14" deep

434 " 334"

1" Drill 0.188 (316 ") Fig. 3 Mounting plates Make from 0.05" brass strip or 116 " aluminum Drill 0.1285 ( wire no. 30) 0.38" 1.406"
12" 1" 1 " diameter dowel centering pins 4

Weight rim
1 " 2

234 " 3 34"

Curved surface

Fig. 4 Trucks and coupler location 134 " 414" Critical dimensions Truck mounts Coupler plate. Drill no. 43 for no. 4 wood screw 0.38"
Robert Wegner

134 "

214"

Drill 0.2031 ( 1364 ") Truck mounting plate. Make two

An abrasive pad (left), a felt-type pad, and weights such as a block of metal can be used to vary how the track is cleaned. Note the metal plates used to secure the felt pad.

Weights
Select weights to make your abrasive cleaning more effective. You can vary the weights for different purposes or to match the pulling power of each of your locomotives. Make a rim on the top of the cleaning block to hold the weight in place. Customize the rim for the weights you use. Use refrigerator magnets, double-sided tape, or other adhesives to keep the weight in place inside the rim.

(fig. 3). Adhere closely to the locations and sizes of the plates holes. Accurately position the plates to the top of the car frame as shown (fig. 4). The critical dimensions ensure that there are no clearance problems between the wheels and the frame. Attach the truck mounts with four 4-40 screws and nuts through the no. 30 holes. Glue the coupler plate in place on its mounting block, and then drill into the block through the hole you made earlier in the coupler plate. I chose a no. 42 wire drill to fit my Standard gauge coupler. Finally, mount your trucks and the coupler, place the cleaning block through the center rectangular opening, and add the desired weight on top of the block. Now you are ready to polish your Standard gauge tracks as easily as do hobbyists in other gauges. T

Trucks and coupler

To mount a pair of trucks and a coupler to the frame, make three brass or aluminum plates as shown