Dapol Motorised Track Cleaner Review, Part 1

Part 1 of my review of the Dapol Motorised Track Cleaner. Like always I made a mistake in this review and at one point call the Class 08 a 03 (error), Lol. Part 2 will feature it at work. Hope you enjoy!

[SamsTrains]

Nice review! I tend to find the abrasive and polishing pads don't do much good compared with a track rubber but the vacuum is second to none!
Cheers,
Sam

[SDJRF]

Thanks! The vacuum on it is really good as you will see in the next video! Certainly helps me clean my track quicker!

[TotallyScaleModels]

If your layout is on one baseboard it will be fine to use. it works on DC power and DCC. If your connections between tracks are not level it will not work and if you are using under base board mounted point motors make sure the pin which moves the point is cut as low as possible ( preferably Below the track level).

[SDJRF]

Thanks! They certainly are very handy!

[SDJRF]

May do at some point. I hear they are the best track cleaners.

[SDJRF]

The vacuum is very good. As for the rubber pad I hear it is not so good. I still use a Hornby rubber, but with vacuum alone it cuts the time it take me to clean the layout in half!

[dadnyfur]

As a track cleaner, this works pretty good. I was surprised at just how much debris hairs and dust this thing picks up. For the disc cleaner, it could use a little more torque, it kinda loads the motor down. 

[SDJRF]

Yeah, it will lol! As you will see in the next video it certainly works!

[howarth]

Good vac on those, but if your ballast is not stuck down well it will lift it

[dadnyfur]

I have one of these, and the problem I had was not knowing if the vacuum was spinning or not. Sometimes it would jam on a piece of ballast. I did convert mine to DCC. To detect the vacuum running, I installed a motor right on top on the unit, connecting the motor shaft to the other end of the vacuum motor shaft. I then installed a red flashing LED onto the second motor (that acts as a generator). so when the vacuum is spinning, the second motor generates voltage to drive the flashing LED, and I know it's running. Yes, the Generator part does increase the height of the car by about 3/4", but not a problem on my layout, it works quite well. 

[SDJRF]

I ment motorised on the operation side (pads and vacuum), not how it gets along the rails. Lol.

[TheThomaslargescale]

Are these good as I may buy one to make track cleaning easier.

[jaannetts]

very gd review, i will be getting one soon

[Ryan]

Im considering one of these as I cannot reach the corner of mine in the station area. Does it work on DC or has it got to be DCC?

[CVR]

Great review, looking faward to part 2!
One thing, thats not a bachmann 03! :)
Cheers,
Andrew

[SDJRF]

Thanks! They are great, but it is weather you really need one or not. Lol!

[stephenspinks]

I have one bought new but cant seem to get the hoover working do they actually work on dc

[SDJRF]

Dam! I knew I would mess up a some point in this review! I was think to my self don't make stupid mistakes and what do you know! LOL! I know it was a 08, just I really like the Bachmann 03 and my freind wants to get one! LOL!