Lionel 3927 Track Cleaner "It Works Great!"

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

Jebb told me yesterday Dad we need to get a Track Cleaning Car. And we do. Nice Video of yours.

[@MJC19]

I remember someone kitbashing one of these track cleaner cars with a lionel trolley, cute little thing!

[@myworld67]

Thanks for sharing Chuck.. I have a junk one somewhere was always going to fix it up but never have I think I'll try to find it when ever I get back out in the shop... "Happy Rails", My friend. GMan

[@paulbervid1610]

It looks awsome. Yours looks pristine. I bought the reproduction solid bottle for mine.

[@GG1man]

I have one and yes, they are noisy. The trailing cleaning pad that is sold as a reproduction part is sometimes too stiff, causing the rear guide wheels to derail on curves. I've gotten mine to work fairly well. Lionel came out with a new model, not sure when, that has two spinning foam cleaning disks. It also needs to be pulled by a locomotive. Piko large scale trains has a battery powered cleaning loco. Perhaps Lionel could consider designing one for "O" gauge trains.

[@peterc302]

I just got one of these off eBay a few weeks ago as I was having the same problem you are having with physical limitations reaching around the layout to clean the track. I was really pretty sceptical that it would work but I must say that you are correct, it really works quite well and makes short work of my track cleaning chores

[@scottyrocktrains5649]

I totally understand, old age sucks lol ! Hey thanks for sharing this ,I’ve just bought two of them and really didn’t know how to use it .

[@Porschedude8]

Great! 👏😊

[@baldypalmsrailroad]

Cool track cleaner, good video. Thank for sharing.

[@railchief74]

This makes me wish that I had a track cleaning car

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Nice!

[@leverettrailfan5414]

I own two- got one of them working, when I first got it years ago. The other one I have yet to fix, but it's more complete. Some things to note: the rear 'wiper', as Lionel intended it, was supposed to mop up the track cleaning fluid after the 'scrubber' does its work. As others have said, these were noisy as heck from the factory- it's because they have a long gear train to run the scrubber from the motor. No amount of lube will silence it, but it will run quieter lubricated then it would un-lubricated, like any train. Just in this case, "coffee grinder" is normal. Lionel actually re-did the formula for their track cleaning fluid when these came out- the original formula was inflammable, and Lionel must have figured that sparks from the 3927's pickup roller could ignite it. They specifically warned you not to use the older fluid. I'm not sure how serious the concern is- especially since you had no issues using rubbing alcohol. They also made a track cleaning car for the ill-fated Lionel HO product line, the TC-0039. I don't think it was cataloged for more than 2-3 years. If the brushes aren't getting enough 'time' to scrub, I've had the idea to run the car with a loco that's geared down, like the 41 US Army switcher or maybe a burro crane, so the scrubbing brush can really scrub at the rails but the train won't be going too fast. I had no idea if these were really all that good, glad to know they're workin for ya! Need to tune one of mine up again and take it for a spin.

[@PhilBender612]

I have one that looks just as factory fresh as yours with original bottles and pads never used in original box. Paid $24.00 for it, never find that deal again. But ya, they work great. Your supposed to put the cleaner on the center scrubbing pad by dropping fluid down the hole on top. The rear pad is to dry anything left as it goes along.

[@joeystrains.9316]

It's in great shape. I should look into one because I do it the hard way.

[@MrBsHiawathalandRails]

Interesting!

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Chuck , just a sideline , check out U-tube `s SUPER CIRCUS 1956 to see the Lone Ranger Clayten Moore in person . Keep on plunking along .

[@chiconian49]

Thanks

[@whitewallwheels1hardcore.m_o_h]

it either rocks or it works but woks is for cooking with - Lionel 3927 Track Cleaner "It Woks!" -

[@raylroads]

Good info. I wonder if I could modify a gang car to clean track some how.

[@Ed-ICE-Berg]

hmmmm, I may have get one of these! :-)

[@davidstrainsandlego]

Huh, always thought it ran under its own power, good to know

[@andy41417]

I thought the hole next to the switch led to the rotating sponge. Have to check the directions again. Prefer the Trackman 2000 as the pad lasts longer. I think they are no longer made?

[@worldsgreatestride]

You’re suppose to put the cleaning fluid in the bottles. Notice the tip of the bottle fits in to that orange hole near the on/off switch once you take the cap off. The fluid will flow from the bottle down the tube to the sponge head from there by itself. No need to put it on the sponge by hand. And the back cotton swab is intended to dry what the damp sponge put on the track. You are NOT supposed to put cleaner on the dryer swab. Also you are not supposed to use flammable cleaner like alcohol because the roller sparks can set the sponge head on fire. Lionel made a special non-flammable cleaner especially for that car back in the day. You better have a fire extinguisher near by if you continue to use alcohol. You’ve gotten lucky you have not set the rotating sponge on fire. And the off/on switch is used to turn off the sponge head when you want to just dry the track. I suggest you get the instructions sheet for that car on eBay. It will set you straight.

[@ronalddevine9587]

I have one and it's pretty noisy. Try some lube on the motor bearing. It may help a bit.

[@whitewallwheels1hardcore.m_o_h]

do they make them for other types of track

[@randylearmonth4047]

I just ordered one from trainz ,they have a bunch of them,hard to get on the layout to clean ,does anyone know the best cleaner to use, I heard goo gone mixed with isopropyl works