Hornby Railways R.344 Track Cleaning Car with footage of the railway in action
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2024
- Hornby Railways R.344 Track Cleaning Car (1961-76?) with footage of the railway in action over the last week. All dates are approximate Music Source / Royalty-free Apple loops/Looperman.com
I had thought I had a video showing an older Boxed Tri-ang Railways Track cleaning car with its original box of track cleaning fluid but seem not to be able to find it. So no link! I will try and dig out the item and show it in a later video. There are many ways of cleaning track and many products to chose from, the method and products used in the video are ones I have found work for me. All dates are approximate Music Source / Royalty-free Apple loops/Looperman.com
What a wonderful layout,look foward to seeing it every week.Thanks for everthing.to us old men brings back memories.
Thanks Chris glad you enjoyed it.
Take care.
Oscar
Great running session the layout is looking good I like the control levers just like a real. Signal box 😀👍
I'm getting back into model railways, grateful for all the info now available.
I have an old R344 (red) that I had in the 1970s and have just bought another from Mumfy's models of similar vintage, which came with a spare felt pad.
Replaced the plastic wheels on both with metal wheels from Peters Spares. Note that at 10mm diameter they are smaller than the more usual Hornby 12.6mm.
My plan is to use one car with fluid, purple meths (as per original instructions!) but will also try IPA, Inox and WD40 contact cleaner (not normal WD40). Then the other car with dry pad.
All track on the main lines is new Hornby / Peco nickel silver set track, will use the old stuff in sidings.
First trial yesterday picked up modest amount of gunk, mostly from an over lubricated Hymek which had its wheels cleaned with a cotton bud.
From watching this video and others I have decided to replace all of the plastic wheels on my coaches and wagons with new Hornby metal wheels and will avoid buying any locos with traction tyres!
Hi Oscar,
Great running session and hand held close ups excellent.
By pure coincidence you showed the 1961 catalogue which I had been looking at the night before. I had bought two 1960s train sets without their boxes and they had belonged to two brothers. One had the RS12 and the other the RS14.
RS12- TC switcher plus three wagons, car missing and one BICC cable drum missing and had a hard time.
RS14- Double ended TC diesel with four coaches and been cared for.
Both motors totally clogged with 60 years of oily dirt and fluff and brushes down to the brass. Lighting wiring on both diesels had been butchered for some reason but bulbs OK. After a lot of cleaning, servicing and rewiring all good again. Both motors very responsive and back to being the powerful things they are. Keep up the good work 👍.
Good morning Gordon sounds like two great sets to have, it's always very rewarding bringing these items back into running condition. I have Switcher which looked in really terrific condition when bought. But the wiring on the inside was a mess of sticky electrical tape and old bell wire!
Thanks again take care.
Oscar
Wow! Looking at that freight train being shunted by the BR standard (?) realised my own train set from the 1970s was so similar. LMS Jinty (BR lined black), Bestwood wagon - tick, green wagon - tick, Esso tank - tick and BR brake van - tick. Didn't have Lyons Maid or the Pork wagon, but had the light blue 'Fine Fish' wagon instead. Thanks for posting.
Hi Oscar, a lovely running session, so enjoyable and relaxing to watch. Easy to say when not having to concentrate on what’s going on all around the railway. Interesting to hear how often you clean the track and how, combination of track cleaner wagon and track rubber. 😎 looking forward to next video with all the extra inserts, looks great. Thanks again Marc
Thanks Marc glad you enjoy that. If you do a little bit of regular light track cleaning it never builds up to much of a task. Keeping the wheels clean really helps.
Take care.
Oscar
Great information about track cleaning, those prices in the 1960s are amazing, but probably relatively expensive compared to disposable income at the time. For instance, I had a theatre programme from the London Palladium in the 1930’s advertising brand new 3 bedroom semi detached houses for £350 then. Way outside of most average peoples incomes. Lovely running session, always enjoy your videos. Thanks so much for jogging memories. Roy.
Good morning Roy thanks for watching great here enjoy the video. Lovely piece of information about the theatre program only houses were £350. It puts pricing over the years in perspective.
Take care.
Oscar
That was really good. The closer camera position adds to the excitement, gives a very good view of the models and wasn't jerky at all. Nice to see the return of the point switching montage too. 😊👍
Hi, Pauline glad you enjoyed that it was a lot of fun capturing these clip.
Take care.
Oscar
Thanks Oscar for a great video, good to see all the different locos and coaches. The 125 looks great with the lights on specialyon the windy track,well take care till next week Mel nz
Good morning Mel glad you enjoyed that it was a lot of fun capturing the video as the wiring modifications progressed.
Thanks again take care.
Oscar
Great session Oscar, love your layout 👏 .
Hi, thanks Martin glad you enjoyed seeing the layout in action.
Take care.
Oscar
Hallo oscar
Enjoyed todays video one of the main bugbares is keeping the track clean for faultless running , àll still part of maintenance. I am looking forward to seeing the colour lights being installed should make the layout more realistic, great running sequence at the end , much enjoyed mate look farward to next week.
Regards Paul osman
Hi Paul glad you enjoyed this weeks video it was a lot of fun capturing those clips. Looking forward to the light signals going in as well. Not quite sure where I’m going to use that gantry a present.
Thanks again take care.
Oscar
Always easy and relaxing to watch loads of interesting and informative stories about hornby past. Thanks oscar Eddy xx
Thanks, Eddy take care.
Oscar
Hi Oscar, another excellent learning episode with fantastic photography and informative commentary. Regards.
Thank you, Steve, glad you enjoyed the video.
Take care.
Oscar
That's one of the best running sessions I have watched. You illustrate perfectly how good the system still is. 11 out of 10 for your hard work out 💫💫💫💫💫
Good morning Tim thanks again for watching and your support it’s really great to hear you enjoyed the video.
Take care.
Oscar
Hi Oscar. Lovely running session with the tease shot of those colour light signals especially the converted gantry 😂 Can’t wait to see that working 👍🏻 Cheers Stevie 😎
Hi Steve, I think the signals will good fun, although I'm not sure where the Gary is is going to fit on this layout?
Thanks again take care.
Oscar
You have the layout running well now Oscar look forward to see the signals in operation.
Thanks Barry, I think the signals will be great fun on the layout.
Take care.
Oscar
A fantastic running session :-)
Glad you enjoyed it.
Oscar
Hello Oscar. I really enjoyed this video. Nice to see the trains running, especially Kneller Hall. Many thanks.
Hi Nigel, Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Hello Oscar, thank you for the interesting and interesting topic that is the rail cleaning car. I did not know this system, being more used to Jouef, Roco, or Piko wagons.
Nice parade of your different oars towards the end.
Have a good Sunday and take good care of yourself.
Sincerely, from France.
Philippe
Hi Philippe thanks again glad you enjoyed the video.
Take care.
Oscar
Great stuff, sir. Like said before, that's my era too. I've got a lid/roofless Track Cleaning Car and its felt pad looks like it'll make the rails dirty and grubby! !:^) Time for a change. Thanks for the demonstration and the use of 'alternative' pads for the Cleaning Car and its workings. Much obliged and Keep Well there. Cheers!
Hello Oscar. I have the black track cleaning car, several green ones and a red one that unfortunately had a fluid spilled on it that attacked the plastic very badly. Todays running was a joy. It was very relaxed, more like a play session. Thank you for sharing the test recordings. Perhaps in a future video you could explain your numbering system for the point work, i.e. why the colour codes etc. and not just a consecutive numbering.
Regards, David.
Good morning David great to hear enjoyed the running in this video. It was definitely good fun capturing these clips and experimenting. I’m torn between shooting with the gimbal and handheld both offer advantages and disadvantages, it’s really nice now I have the space on this layout to be able to follow a group of items around the layout. On the old layout I never could remember all of the point numbers I think they were consecutive 1 to 2 I with the occasional 2 and 2A. The colours just represent sections that can I remember on the railway so groups of points. Green is all connected with the elevated section. Red is all connected with the approach to the turntable/yard. Blue is all connected with the left hand approach/exit to the station, and the numbers within the colour sections represent a semi logical route through!
Thanks again for watching take care.
Oscar
I enjoyed that. The switching of points all at once and swapping of trains,that was was great camera and editing work. I always leave a thumbs up on your videos. I use your videos for reference, so I've watched them many times. Still laugh at your first vid with dock authority at 200 mph and to be continued lol. Thanks Kevin from nz
Thank you very much! glad you are enjoying the videos.
Take care.
Oscar
Very many thanks Oscar. It really is a wonderful layout you have there. I love to hear those wheels clattering over the rail joints. Magical stuff. All the best.
Good morning Mike for me it’s all part of the enjoyment hearing the wheels on the tracks, glad you enjoy the video.
Take care.
Oscar
Hello Oscar, I like the red rail cleaning wagon, I've not seen one before. Mine is a very elderly black version with open axle boxes and sleeved wheels. Excellent running too, the HST at slow speed looked superb. Best regards to you
Good morning Mr snooze yes it’s a lovely bright colour that track cleaning car. Great to hear you enjoyed seeing the running the HST is capable of really very low speeds it’s got a great motor.
Thanks again take care.
Oscar
Hi Oscar, that was a nice running session with plenty of interesting shots.
Thanks you Rob, glad you enjoyed seeing these clips of the railway.
Take care.
Oscar
For the coaches and wagons with deep flanged wheels, Hornby still make sets of replacement wheels, which wouldn't be as deep. So you could just change them over.
Good morning Graham thank you for the information and taking the time to watch
Take care.
Oscar
Great pictures Oscar . Love seeing the layout in action . Yep the track cleaning car was in constant use on my 8ft by 4ft layout , when younger . But I always felt there was no substitute for just rubbing the track with a bit of old cloth. Purple Methylated spirits was what was used on the track cleaning car and cloth . My bedroom could be filled of the smell of Meths . These days my parents would probably have been reported to Social Services!
Good morning Russell thanks for the information I think it was a very useful little item, strange they didn't develop an alternative model along the way to increases sales. I hope you had your window open!
Take care.
Oscar
Loved seeing 2 trains running mate.
Hello Oscar. I must say your layout looks terrific at the moment. Brightly coloured wagons, your adding signals, everything that a great model train channel features. Keep up the good work. Thanks
Hi, thanks again Joshua for your support, it's great to hear you enjoyed the video.
Take care.
Oscar
Thanks for another grand running session.I was wondering when you would run thee GWR clearstory coaches,I had a set of them in the early sixties behind a BR saddle tank engine.not quite right I know.but to me they looked great.
I've got a black one and dark green one,but haven't seen the red one before,none of mine have the felt pieces like yours. I never thought of using the glazing for the utility van like you pulled from the first one. Think the yellow one is the cardboard inner from a track cleaning car box,the other two look more legit. Must be a lot of drag with this wagon, I wonder how may of these a Nellie could pull ?
Hello Oscar - I have 2 of these (both in black & with a roof!!!) which I bought from Chesterfield Market (on a Thursday) quite a few yrs ago now!!! 1 has the original hairy Pad & the other has not - I did wonder what the hole in the middle was for - but now thanks to - you - I know know!!!🙂 @ 6:35 - Here is an idea what might help you...On mine (the 1 with the missing Pad) either the wheels were missing or fell off & got lost (can't really remember which!!!) any way I bought some spare wheels from Hornby (R8218) 14.1mm Disc Wheels (Pack 10) which fits quite well - so that might help you to be able to use green Track Cleaning Car!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂
P.s. @ 11:02 - HOW MUCH??? £1.65 for a Track Cleaning Car & Black 5 only £13.50!!! YES PLEASE!!! WOW 😮 I'd be lucky to buy a basic Wagon or Loco at those sort of Prices now-a-days!!! I don't suppose you have a 'Time Machine' hidden away in any of those boxes undernieth your layout by any chance??? 🤔😉🚂🚂🚂
Hi, Jimyjames the time machine is still very much in its experimental stages! I have to admit I'm struggling a little in getting to work... I believe others are having similar problems!
1980 new model R053 Class B17 Locomotive - Manchester United just £24.40...
There could be a lot of congestion in time travel!
Thanks again take care.
Oscar
Given the layout is very traditional, surprised you have opted to my pet hate, dire LED lights.
Hi Oscar enjoyed those new camera shots they were very good. Keep experimenting with the camera good work. regards Mark
Thanks Mark glad you enjoy that.
Take care.
Oscar
At 7:50 attention is drawn to the R528 track cleaning capsules that we now know contain Carbon Tetrachloride.
Toxicity points made here :
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/carbon-tetrachloride/toxicological_effects.html
May help those with unused capsules take a decision about what to do with them.
Thank you for this very informative link. Take care.
Oscar
Hi Oscar, Yes there was an earlier version of the track cleaning wagon with open axle boxes. It came in black with a grey roof. It's No was the same R 344. It was released in 1961. Here is one daveangell.co.uk/index.php?pg=w&cat=3769 . As far as the older track cleaning wagon you could you not just swap out the wheels for a newer set.
Hi thanks for the information Gerard.
Take care.
Oscar
Hi Oscar, I have 2 x r114 track cleaning wagons the black one cast bogies sleeved wheels black roof , and a green one plastic bogies pinpoint wheels black roof, black filled with methylated spirit and green behind dry pulled by jinty on super 4 track.
Good morning Bob, thanks for the information and taking the time to watch, your cleaning train sounds great.
Take care.
Oscar
Hi Oscar, lovely running session with some great shots. My early black track cleaner R114 does have sleeved wheels, but on my small Super 4 layout I use a little piece of cloth wrapped round a cork - held widthways it cleans the rail heads, and lengthways it sits between the rails and does the inside faces. Can I ask how you clean plastic wheels when they're still on locos and stock - do you use any liquids or just scrape them ? Many thanks.
Good morning Peter thanks for the information.
Take care.
Oscar
i think this was brilliant. Just a thought, technically, could any of these locomotives and rolling stock run on a contemporary layout, that is computer controlled?
Good morning Alan glad you enjoyed the video. I would imagine some of these models may run on a contemporary computer-controlled layout (DCC). at present, I have no first-hand experience of doing so. As a child, I did use Hornby's then-new Zero 1 Digital control equipment which was an early form of computer control with models from this era.
Thanks for watching.
Oscarcurrent
Hi there. Just thinking of purchasing a track cleaning car. Is lighter fluid the preferred option for cleaning or are there alternatives that can be used?
Mon from Brisbane.
A much better cleaning fluid would be IPA or Isopropyl alcohol. It's commonly used in electrical work and doesn't attack plastic. It's often used in CD or video cleaning and since it evaporates leaves no stain.
Hi, there are many methods of track cleaning and a variety of fluids branded and unbranded that can be used. Most are flammable and most have solvent properties to one degree or another. Ideally, it's just the rail heads that any of these fluids should be used on. I've always found lighter fluid very good and easy to handle and store, and readily available. Exercise caution when using any cleaning fluid and test first on a spare piece of track.
Thanks for watching take care.
Oscar
Great video Oscar I haven’t cleaned my track for a very long time mainly because I have a gaugemaster HF unit that does the cleaning for me.
Why do you always say auction site, your not going to get in trouble for calling it by its proper name?
I think I remember someone saying to get those pads clean just put them in your trouser pocket and when they washed those trousers in a washing machine they left the pad in the trouser pocket and it got the pad really clean and ready to use again
i have one of those hornby signals but having no luck with the blubs what resistors and leds do you use
Hi, I have been experimenting with these 3mm LED's over the last few years 710-310-Red and 711-310-Green from this online shop www.esr.co.uk/components/products/frame-leds.htm the resistors currently in use are 910-210 1KO ½watt also from the same site www.esr.co.uk/components/products/frame-resistors.htm. Hope this was of some help.
Take care.
Oscar
Hi Oscar, can you not change the wheel sets on the green track cleaning wagon for ones that have a shallow flange?
What material are you using for the cleaning pad? I've got an old track cleaning car too but I understand the original pads are no longer available from Hornby.
Hi Bryan I've used a number of things as replacement pads Spontex cut to fit is very good and J-Cloth which I found much better on the later system 6 on the pointwork it is not as hairy and dose not catch on the point blades. You can also find reproduction pads on eBay search for the following "3 x Replacement Track Cleaning Felt pads for Tri-ang Hornby R.344 Track Cleaner"
Thanks for watching hope that's of some help.
Oscar
@@oscarpaisley Many thanks!!