Right now, the hobby is experiencing a revolution in electronics (DCC, on board sound systems, etc.). With that comes a greater need for cleaner track. After all, that’s how we get the information from the power source to our trains. To do this you have a choice. You could clean the rails by hand, or find a good rail cleaning car.

Centerline Products has a whole line of rail cleaners from N to G gauge. I received their model D30 in HO scale to review. My first impression was made as I lifted up the box to open it. You could tell that the frame was made of metal.

The design was well thought out. Model D30 comes with Mantua trucks and McHenry couplers. However, the frame is machined so that any common scale trucks would fit it. The frame has been drilled so that couplers and boxes can be mounted to it, or you can place the McHenry couplers in the Mantua Talgo trucks that are provided. The frame has a lip around the top outside edge so that a body can be placed over the middle of the frame and run with the rest of your stock.

In the middle of the frame is the heart of the cleaning system -- the patented "limited slip roller". It is a solid knurled brass roller covered with common everyday Handi-Wipes. You can buy them precut from Centerline, or cut them yourself. For me this is a feature I really like. You can buy something that can be serviced with common household goods. You’re not chained to a manufacturer. This brings me to another point, the liquid recommended to clean the rails with is GOO GONE. You can find this at just about any K-Mart in the country, or Centerline has it available in three sizes.

After you wrap the Handi-Wipe onto the roller, you simply drop it into the frame. If you plan on making the car go in both directions, Centerline recommends that you wrap a thread around the roller a couple of times then tie it off. This keeps the Handi-Wipe from unrolling.

As the cleaner travels along the track, the GOO GONE is left on the rails and helps break up the junk on all the wheels. On the next round, the Handi-Wipe picks it up.

I am one who prides himself on having a clean track. I have to because I like to run my trains slow. I was a little embarrassed when it took both sides of three Handi-Wipes to clean a 24’ loop. After that, the cleaning car just seemed to maintain the track because I haven’t had to change the Handi-Wipe since.