TMCC
Track
Cleaning
Caboose
Based
on
S-n-S's
Track
Cleaning
Cars
Here
is
the
original
S-n-S
Caboose
chassis
being
tested.
(Click
on
Images
for
larger
view)
I
have
always
been
intrigued
with
S-n-S-s
track
cleaning
cars
but
have
resisted
the
temptation.
When
Steve
made
a
caboose
version
I
had
to
have
one.
Steve
offered
to
make
me
one
without
a
shell
as
I
had
a
shell
already
I
wanted
to
use.
First off et me say it is the best cleaning car I have ever used. After only two passed the difference in the patina between the adjacent tracks was clearly noticeable. |
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So
as
they
come
from
S-n-S
there
are
no
improvements
I
could
suggest
as
far
as
the
track
cleaning
ability.
It
gets
the
job
done!
That
being
said.. I
always
love
to
tweak
things
to
my
tastes.
The
chassis
came
with S Helper Service trucks
and
are
very
nice. |
|
Since
I
use
TMCC
almost
exclusively
on
the
Layout,
I
wanted
control
of
the
Cleaning
motor
so
it
would
be
able
to
start
and
stop
at
will
on
a
MOW
train
waiting
clearance
without
having
to
kill
the
power
to
the
block
it
was
in. I also hooked up an interior lighting control.
|
|
Here is another place for the Electric RR's Mini Commander to shine as it again is the only product that would fit in the space allowed. As it was I had to remove the input/output connectors and wire with pigtails to conserve space. | |
The
cleaning
motor
is
rated
at
a
higher
voltage
than
a
TMCC
board
can
drive
effectively
and
you
needed
the
full
track
voltage
to
get
the
best
cleaning
performance,
so
I
opted
to
use
a
relay
that
switched
the
track
voltage
directly
to
the
motor's
bridge
rectifier.
You can see here I added a lead weight to replace the brass one that I had to remove due to space limits.
|
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With
it's
new
Pennsylvania
shell
it
looks
handsome
waiting
to
keep
up
the
MOW.
I added frosted Mylar window stock to the shell windows as there was no room for the original window insert shell. I also blacked the brass cleaning wheel to help it blend in a bit. |
|
On
the
Cab-1
remote
control
the
Aux-2
function
turns
the
interior
lighting
on
and
off.
The
Motor
is
controlled
with
the
Aux-9
to
turn
on
the
motor
and
Aux-8
to
turn
off. |
|