Review of the Woodland Scenics Roto Wheel Cleaner / Tidy Track System

[@sparky107107]

nice tip on flipping the white pads around. I just got one of these wheel cleaners. so thanks for the video.

[@Form44208]

I am new to the hobby. I have 5 locomotives including 2 Atlas Gold DCC switchers. One didn't work well right out of the box. Spoke to a guy at Atlas who was very informative and friendly. He said try cleaning it before sending it in. I had less than 1 hour on this locomotive. I have a big packet of cleanroom wipes (non shedding). Put some alcohol on and did the classic put on set of wheels on the track and the other on the alcohol wetted wipes. Switcher works great now. Atlas guy explained that the locomotives get tested but not always cleaned before being boxed and shipped. Thanks for the review, I may pick up one of these Roto Cleaners for my freight cars.

[@108NorfolkSouthern]

Great review! I just purchased the rail cleaning system from Woodland Scenics and it also works very well. I have been wondering if this system really worked, now I know thanks for the review. I will be purchasing this very soon.

[@jlwii2000]

Weathering takes time, patience, skill and artistic talent. I have none of those. Plus, unless you're really good...I mean REALLY good...it kills the value of your locos and rolling stock. I like to try to keep value as much as I can so that if I want to sell them one day or sell them for bigger and better stuff I can without losing too much value in the process.

[@andrewernest9517]

InstaBlaster

[@NSNorfolk]

Your reviews are superb ! Well balanced, fair and honestly delivered. While I'm not one to create work for someone else to fulfill but keep 'em coming. Thanks !

[@ianhaynes5898]

I have bought one of these now and it is well worth it. Easy to use and has made a real difference to some of my engines.

[@deandremouse]

Ironically I was about to buy one of these. Thanks for the excellent review

[@BeardClipper]

This is exactly the video I was looking for. Well explained, clear and informative. Cheers

[@ianhaynes5898]

Looks pretty easy to use. I think I need to get one.

[@cleartheory9854]

These work good and better that using towels over the track. I use a pipette to apply cleaning alcohol and that works well. They need to make a longer version for 4-8-8-4 locos. Or perhaps custom make your own.

[@davidanthonybatten9150]

Thanks for the video. My question regarding this cleaner is...if half the wheel surface is bound to be rolling on a ( narrower ? ) rail track. How does the part of the wheels sitting n the rail get cleaned?

[@oneastrails]

It doesn’t, this thing to me is a bit of a scam. The part of the wheel running on the cleaner rail doesn’t get cleaned. I ran a loco through mine, then put a paper towel with lacquer thinner on the track and tons of black stuff still came off the loco wheels even after using this. Total rip-off in my opinion.

[@raythorlea]

thanks for the review. think you have made my mind up to purchase one in N

[@JBofBrisbane]

Depends on how big your layout is - a really big one might need half an hour of rubbing down before you can run anything.

[@gregbeatty8645]

Thanks for sharing the review , appreciate your time and effort

[@canadianlocomotivelogistics]

How about giving us a close up off how the locomotive gets electricity. I’m thinking there is a rail there with the felt pad beside it. So if it’s using code 83 track, then not all on the wheel is getting cleaned. They should switch to a non- rail system with steel wool cleaner. With way all the wheel tread is cleaned. Where is the close-up of the wheels on the pads.

[@oneastrails]

You are correct, I have one and not all the wheel gets cleaned. I used this, then ran a loco over a paper towel with lacquer thinner, tons of black stuff still came off the wheels. Total ripoff

[@upsd402]

Not only do I clean my wheels with it, it can be used for a programing track (DCC) for my Locos. Sorry to hear that you are messy LOL.

[@TheWGLOVER]

You've convinced me. I have one on order.

[@ns2664philly]

I totally agree. A great product to clean engines and rolling stock. The track cleaning system is also great. Keep the great reviews coming!

[@farnthboy]

I am in the process of converting all my rolling stock with plastic wheels to intermountain metals. I have been running only the converted stock for the last month or so & have found the loco wheels have stayed a lot cleaner as has the track. Wheel cleaning is a pain in the butt but this devise looks the goods. As for N scale with my eyesight I would find it too frustrating & fiddly.

[@gregorywilliams6771]

farnthboy

[@gregorywilliams6771]

m

[@canadianlocomotivelogistics]

Why cannot the tiny track be built into the layout? Use a consistent of three locomotives and the pads are under the middle engine. The two out side locomotive to hold it in position?

[@Yecartish]

If you swap the pads from side to side before you turn them over you could get up to four uses of each pad - both sides of top and bottom.

[@sargentrowell81]

thats really cool. I've been looking for something to clean my engines wheels and i've not even been able to buy the track cleaner because i just ordered some amtrak stuff.

[@jmcgerigle]

am I missing the elephant in the room here James? can this device also be used to test newly installed DCC & sound decoders WHILE cleaning the wheels? can I simultaneously test my direction, lighting and sound CV changes? I mean if the DCC is being passed from the rails and/or the box why not? of course there is no way to test tractive effort, slippage or weight changes but that's OK by me. what do you think jlwii2000? incidentally this is on sale today at Micro~Mark for $22 bucks.

[@jlwii2000]

you are correct is should be able to do that.

[@jmcgerigle]

@@jlwii2000 my new Roto Cleaner arrived yesterday and it does indeed pass DCC bits through the rails. So if your loco is equipped with sound it too wakes up and starts sounding off. I run On30 exclusively which should make no difference but it seems one side's wheels get more shiny and clean better than the other. Could be I was cleaning a Shay and only one side (the geared/pinion side) got much more torque than the other. My Heisler on the other hand was pretty clean all around. Cheers!

[@owdpotter]

Thanks for posting that video i was in the market for a new and easy wheel cleaner for my locos , that looks like just the ticket :-) Cheers

[@Rocky14970]

I'm gonna need that. My Brass HO Scale GS-6 4460's wheels and tender wheels need to be cleaned. but how do i get the engines wheels clean and the tender's wheel cleaned?

[@akr3985fan]

J.L. can you pick this up at Springcreek, in Deshler and when using you mentioned that the pads look similar to Velcro ok if Does is there any chance that some that Fiber getting rapped up around the wheels and causing issue or is it a type of Fiber where that would cause that type of issue, I got all N scale and I Watched a Video that member about fuzz getting up in around the wheel sets and looks to be a pain to clean.. So Hopefully that would happen with this Device.. Please reply when you can I really enjoy your Videos and hope you make the Switch to N scale soon its as fun as HO is which I many a sets in my younger Days :) thanks for your Time AKR

[@carllivingston169]

You schould get that TTX i think it is. Buts its a brass tank car that you fill with liquid and pull it behind you loco and it cleans your track.

[@oneastrails]

CMX

[@garf1437]

Great Videos You would not need this thing. If you kept your railheads clean, dust and grease settles on the rails when nobody is in the room. When there are bodies in the room this gets moved and floats in the air. All you need is a cloth and wipe the railheads, before you start an operating system. Garf1437 England

[@vidfreak727]

will you cover "how to keep your track clean"?

[@jlwii2000]

If I switch to N scale it will be more like an additional layout not a switch. So I would keep my HO layout and build another N scale layout and have both. But it was just a thought...

[@roytibbles1730]

Yes I have one and fine it handle for my rolling stock and locos

[@howarth004]

Yes they are very good

[@cpywrittn]

What are the chances you will be able to get your hands on the set of OMI HO NS OCS engines? I know a lot of acronyms, sorry! :)

[@Just_Another_Railfan]

How do these work with steam engines?

[@Mike13593]

I'm Just wondering why don't you weather anything on your layout?

[@stevenPa087877]

Are there any recommendations for cleaning my big boys and challengers

[@Bkzkilla2]

If you switch to n scale whats going to happen to your collection of trains? I would hope you want to keep some if not all.

[@southernprojectsyt6340]

I know for a FACT a dcc locomotive will run without a command. (on a dc track).

[@robloxman516]

hey their is a railcar (HO sale) that can clean the rails on the move i forgot the name of it but it looks pretty cool

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

TOTALLY need one for my locomotives/cars

[@cdtluna]

Does the product harm rubber traction tires?

[@howarth004]

If cleaned with the trix wheel cleaner first , think these would be ideal

[@americanlogger]

i use a chemical to clean my wheels and rails, its called rail zip, the wheels transfer it to all rails and keep them nice and clean. this seems to be time consuming for over 500 locomotives, and over 3000 railcars

[@metroredline]

Did you say you're contemplating converting to N scale? DO IT! I converted in 2006. I used to be a frustrated HO scaler, depressed that my layout curve radius was too small to run the locos and rolling stock I wanted. In N scale, even 18" radius is acceptable. I can run any rolling stock now, and run longer trains too! I'm much happier in N, and the quality of N scale trains today is almost equivalent to HO a few years ago.

[@agonquin]

I can see maybe the engine turning wheel will clean but how is the rest of wheels being cleaned as your just rolling wheels on a pad not really doing anything, NO?

[@howarth004]

I do use Goo Gone with my cmx cleaner

[@tukalola]

DO YOU THINK THIS IS BETTER THAN THE FIRST YOY SHOW ON THE VIDEO BECAUSE I JUST CHECK A MINI TRIX CLEANER THAT IS LIKE THE FIRST YOU SHOW. ALSO THE WHITE POADS GETS DIRTY JUST WIHT ONE LOCOMOTIVE SO NOT GONNA BE USEFULL WITH A LOTT OF LOCOS ISNT IT REGARDS GONZALO FROM CHILE

[@gregorywilliams6771]

GONZALO MATURANA

[@gtc1961]

Nice review...good job!

[@RACaptialRegion]

How much money was the cleaner?

[@aocruiser]

Great video and information!

[@jessewestfall4979]

Hey love your videos, you have helped me out alot. I tryed to message you on fb and add you, but im sure you get that alot. but if you ever have time i have some questions on dcc wiring. im new at this and i just built my layout tables last week and ready for wiring. If you see my friends request on fb my name is Jesse W. I promis not to take much of your time thanks again man and awesome job.

[@cowboyvalley]

Would be nice if they had a HOn3 version.

[@radioflowers]

i think it would work with the n gauge one

[@lasuzzoeagle1]

Get the n gauge one.

[@cowboyvalley]

LasuzzoEagle Gaming Thanks

[@cowboyvalley]

The Good Foxx Thanks

[@KTrainz]

will it work with the athearn dda40x

[@gregorywilliams6771]

K Trainz

[@theshedrailway]

I carnt get it in australia :(

[@randallbyrd1973]

Thank you for the review

[@codycasteel25]

Hey let me know if your gonna get rid of anything i can take some of that off your hands.

[@morepassionfoo]

ive sold a ton of those things and ive only heard good things. way easier than paper towels and alcohol.

[@chriscallow8430]

Nice reveiw, very helpfull

[@whity72]

The problem of this system: Only the moving wheels get cleaned. At steam powered locomotives these are only 2, 4 or max. 6 out of 12 and more. The rest stays filthy and need manual cleaning. There are better methods than this Woodland thing.

[@vidfreak727]

that too!

[@w.rustylane5650]

You mean to tell me that the fan on top of the engine doesn't spin? WTF not! $30.00 + shipping. Don't think so. I'll continue to clean 'em by hand.

[@Devillin]

Thank you!

[@vidfreak727]

they need a larger one for steam engines, though :/

[@oneastrails]

This thing is a bit of a ripoff, I have one and not all the wheel tread runs on the white pad, there still is a bit narrower track in this cleaner. Used it, then did the paper towel and alcohol clean, tons of black crud still came off on the paper towel. I found barely any of the wheel tread runs on the cleaning pads

[@johnbutler8388]

Good review my friend good review I'm just asking if you could donate any Rolling Stock to me if you have some old pieces of Rowlett stock do you don't like or don't want could you just donate it to me thank you

[@Emilyogel1]

and long diesil locomotives

[@theshedrailway]

@cdtluna Poble not

[@JoshTrainsReyesBfmv]

Forget that. It's called isopropyl alcohol with a paper towel. Done!

[@Johnathan.F]

Your teeth are so white , I envy you 0_0 , oh and my fathers name is james lol