Track cleaning hidden rails on the Birdwood Sub'

While construction on the layout has stopped, trains are still running , and it's been a while since the hidden track has been cleaned. This time , a pair of SD40 & 38 Dash 2's are in charge of the job, and we catch them doing a quick switch job in the yard , then pushing the track cleaner up the Tarragindi Cut off. More videos on the way and some more scenery practice before the layout is pulled down next year.

[@Wolfe351]

First here!! Those locos are very clean!! apart from the trucks..............

[@FishplateFilms]

First indeed! They have only had a quick weather, but will get more later on but will still be rather "clean" . Thanks for watching. Gregg 🙂

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Great video Gregg, more scenery work....Good Deal...Have fun with it. Bob

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Bob! One more attempt before I move..LOL. Thanks for watching SIr! Gregg.

[@Nealos101]

Good to see you still about Gregg; sorry to hear the layout is coming down soon but pleased to hear we will be seeing another in Sterling? Good stuff! NK from the UK

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Neale! Still here but busy and having guests meant I couldn't get to my office to edit, so moving the computer has solved that! More on the way 🙂 Cheers Gregg.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Hi Gregg god to se you back, Its ben a long time we seen engines running, they need a little cleaning they are dusty,. waiting for the new layout.Ron

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Ronald! I hope to get more videos out now that's I've moved the computer upstairs? The new layout is a few years away yet..LOL CHeers Gregg.

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. A fun day cleaning rails😒 Have a great day Gregg👍

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks for watching! Gregg.

[@arthurhouston3]

Good luck on the move.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Art! I still have to get the house built....I'm being optimistic..LOL. Cheers Gregg.

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

awesome Gregg thx for posting hope all is well.😊😊👍👍

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! All good , but busy with life and trying to get the new place stsrted? Gregg 🙂

[@1BCamden]

great episode, a little less rodent poo this time round 😃 You have my vote on the anti-track rubber lobby, in hindsight its so obvious once you raised the issue, thanks again.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Cam! I've sealed the room and under the door where they were getting in! Pretty good and just the tire dust from the freeway to deal with now! Glad you have seen the light on track rubbers...help spread the word man . and get the message out there! Cheers Gregg.

[@dave.s58_99]

Hi Gregg, I love the tight shots at ground level, it really brings everything together for a realistic environment. The scenery in those shots looks great. Looking forward to your rebuild!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Dave! SOme of my early scenery attempts :-). I hope to get better with more practice but happy with it so far. Cheers Gregg.

[@lindsaybancroft4629]

Thanks for the video Gregg. Still using your track cleaning advice. Great stuff 👍

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Lindsay! Glad the track cleaning tips are working for you. Cheers Gregg.

[@richardk5849]

No doubt with a bit of Inox on the rag? Been using it after your advice and now my hidden staging yard tracks are cleaner for longer. Still some doubters out there but that’s their problem.

[@FishplateFilms]

Absolutely Richard! I'm glad you are seeing the difference it makes to how your trains run. Thanks for watching and for the feedback! Cheers Gregg.

[@genedow6942]

Gregg, first cleaned with mineral spirits and light application of no-ox id special a. For regular maintenance cleaning what would you recommend on the cleaning cloth?

[@FishplateFilms]

@@genedow6942 Just use INOX or CRC2-26 if not available. The INox will clean, and protect the track from oxidation. Gregg 🙂

[@upsd402]

Love the close ups, it’s amazing how the rats mess up the track, I am having issues with spiders camping out in my tunnels. Unfortunately I have the clean the exteriors of the locomotives once a month. Can’t wait to see the rock carving videos. It’s fun. Sounds like your moving soon. Can’t wait for the video. Cheers from Terry in Nebraska.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Terry! Funny I don't get spiders in the room?Too many insects outside for them ! Moving is a long way off I'm afraid...prices are just stupid now so I'm waiting for reality to step in ?? I will be starting the scenery in a few weeks , but I've a trip down to Mt 'Lofty soon , so more vids coming from that . Cheers Gregg 🙂

[@Nealeb1970]

G'day Gregg, so does that mean the new house is almost ready, exciting stuff, can't wait to see the new track plan. I really must go back and watch your programing videos, love the way your locos run and sound

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL....No Neale...not even started yet! I'm going down to get some quotes for earthworks in a few weeks, but it's a long way off! The track plan is done for the mainline and I will show it as we get closer to moving. CHeers Gregg.

[@peterpocock9062]

Hi Gregg, like you I always push my track cleaning cars. No point trying to drive over the "little rocks" with the motive power! My locos tend to be very jerky if I do. 😕

[@FishplateFilms]

Thats the way to do it Pater! Also important to use 2 locos in case one stalls! CHers Gregg 🙂

[@moosetrain]

Gregg In your short cut videos on back EMF what is your setting for number of speed steps to notches. One notch equals 7 speed steps as a example.

[@FishplateFilms]

I have tried a few different settings, but I now leave it at 7 steps per notch, which is the default setting. Setting your BEMF as low as possible . also helps with getting the notches closer together, especially on hills and heavy trains. Gregg 🙂

[@smokeyjoe1034]

I swear, track cleaning is such a pain in the ass, even if you're not cleaning your track manually by hand. The track gets dirty too soon after each cleaning, and you must clean every millimeter of track, even side tracks, and that could take hours, depending on the size of your layout. On average, how long does it take you to clean your layout? Can you say that with the expansion of your layout, its take longer now than it used to in order to clean your layout? Cheers, Joe.

[@FishplateFilms]

It can be Joe, but if you have a clean room with good dust prevention, it is not too bad. I only clean the hidden sections a few times a year, and the more trains you run , the better it is , as they take the INOX around the rails. Gregg :-)

[@smokeyjoe1034]

@@FishplateFilms Thank you.

[@ARB4957]

Hi Gregg, Grand 🙂 Is there a link somewhere to how you made your track cleaning car ? Good luck with your forthcoming adventures.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! That old car is a ROCO , and is vintage by now..LOL . It has an abrasive pad so I cover it with the cloth as you see. There are better ones out there now but you might find one somewhere? You need special KD's as it uses Euro style couplers. Cheers Gregg.

[@ARB4957]

Thank you@@FishplateFilms

[@gregbansgrove9834]

Hi Gregg , could you tell me where I can buy the same cork underneath your track that you use , cheers Greg

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Greg, it is "Midwest Cork" underlay from the US. It's not cheap but very well made and very easy to lay. I do have a few videos on howI lay it. Shop around and you will find it cheaper here than importing it as it's heavy! Cheers Gregg 🙂

[@gregbansgrove9834]

Hi Gregg , thanks for your reply, Are there any shops in Brisbane that stock it ? Cheers Greg

[@peavinedownunder8726]

Are you cleaning the track due to still having rats in the Birdwood

[@FishplateFilms]

No , I seem to have kept the rats out, but dust still gets in , especially the rubber dust from the freeway! Gregg .