Trainroom-sized air purifier?

[C855B]

A valid suggestion if the problem is perceived to be dust. I have two, one DCC "throttleable", and the vacuum works nicely. I've been hesitant to use either of the contact disks, especially the abrasive which I perceive as too aggressive. I want to lightly polish the track, not grind it.

[Point353]

A valid suggestion if the problem is perceived to be dust.

The OP does specifically mention "to help deal with dust and other airborne nuisances" and "our never ending quest for clean track".

I've been hesitant to use either of the contact disks, especially the abrasive which I perceive as too aggressive. I want to lightly polish the track, not grind it.

Other, perhaps less abrasive, options would be the tank car with skid pad from CMX and the roller car from Centerline:
https://tonystrains.com/product/cmx-clean-machinetm-n-scale
https://www.centerline-products.com/product-page/n-scale

[peteski]

I wouldn't be surprised. The main limitation with portables like this (A/C, heaters, dehumidifiers, humidifiers and purifiers) is pure aerodynamics. With the intake and exhaust usually a foot away from each other, they create a "ball" of circulation no matter how hard they blow.

IMO, another huge issue with portables (which nobody seems to notice) is that they only have single air duct to exhaust the warm air from the condenser side to blow the hot air outside.  But in order to exhaust that hot air, the unit needs to get the air from somewhere.  That "somewhere" is the air from the room being cooled. This means that not only it is sucking out the air that was just cooled by the same AC unit, the air being exhausted outside needs to be replenished in the room with air coming from somewhere (usually by more fresh warm air getting into the room through gaps and crevices.    Not very efficient or dust-free operation.

Several years ago I finally found a portable AC unit which has 2 ducts: one to intake the natural air from the outside into the condenser side, and the second duct to blow the hot air from the condenser side out.  But those dual-duct units are very rare - haven't found another one since.

[nickelplate759]

Which is at least part of the reason why the data center cooling at work is two separate stages.  One stage uses evaporative cooling (and outside air) to chill water, the other uses the chilled water to condition the air that circulates through the data center. 

[Point353]

Several years ago I finally found a portable AC unit which has 2 ducts: one to intake the natural air from the outside into the condenser side, and the second duct to blow the hot air from the condenser side out.  But those dual-duct units are very rare - haven't found another one since.

https://toptenreviewpro.com/best-dual-hose-portable-air-conditioners/
https://www.whynter.com/product-category/air-comfort/portable-air-conditioners/?product_count=40

[u18b]

Some folks just duct tape an A/C filter to a box fan and run the fan continuously in the trainroom.

That gets a lot of the dust out of that room.

Just replace the filter as needed-- which will be less than the one for your house, since this is for only one room.

[peteski]

https://toptenreviewpro.com/best-dual-hose-portable-air-conditioners/
https://www.whynter.com/product-category/air-comfort/portable-air-conditioners/?product_count=40

So these have become "all the rage"? Good, about time manufacturers finally figured out that it really makes sense to go dual-hose.  While I'm not actively looking for one, taking a quick peek at the ones I see in the bix box stores, they seemed to still all be single hose. When I bough mine, they were rarer than a finished train layout. 

[Point353]

So these have become "all the rage"? Good, about time manufacturers finally figured out that it really makes sense to go dual-hose.  While I'm not actively looking for one, taking a quick peek at the ones I see in the bix box stores, they seemed to still all be single hose. When I bough mine, they were rarer than a finished train layout. 

More frequently lately, you can't judge the entirety of the products available at the big box stores by just what's in stock on the shelves.
Instead, you have to check their websites to see everything they carry.

For example, while Home Depot sells the Whynter units, none of the stores appear to have them in stock.
You have to place an order online (or in the store) and then pick up the item at the store in a couple of days, or have it shipped to you.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well Otto:

If you don't want to follow the advice from Lee, CRL, Maletrain and others

(and none combined  is a complete solution). then learn to live with it.
...
Regards
Al

Umm, Al, live with what?
In my original post I inquired about the usefulness of an air purifier, a legitimate question I thought. Much of the advice I got, while useful and appreciated, is already incorporated in my train room in some ways.
So yes, I can live with that, happily thank you, but I always look for ways to improve the layout environs. From the one response dealing with actual air purifier usage it sounds like it’s not worth it it in my situation.
Thanks to all who took the time to respond.
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

Some folks just duct tape an A/C filter to a box fan and run the fan continuously in the trainroom.

That gets a lot of the dust out of that room.

Just replace the filter as needed-- which will be less than the one for your house, since this is for only one room.

Oh, what a great idea, why didn’t I think of that!
Thanks for that!
Otto K.

[John]

Some folks just duct tape an A/C filter to a box fan and run the fan continuously in the trainroom.

That gets a lot of the dust out of that room.

Just replace the filter as needed-- which will be less than the one for your house, since this is for only one room.

I've done this as well .. but it also helps to circulate the dust more

I wish I had finished my basement before I built the railroad 20 years ago (hard to believe) but I did paint the concrete walls and put in a false ceiling . that helps a lot

[u18b]

Went to visit a train friend out of town.

Went to the train room.

Low and behold.....

[Cajonpassfan]

Bump...
So after convincing myself an air purifier probably wasn’t worth the investment, I stumbled on a really good deal and bought one
Actually, coming home after almost a month on the road, I was struck how musty the trainroom smelled. For obvious reasons, I keep the windows closed, and the A/C was turned up and probably didn’t even kick on while we were gone.
I’ve only had it a couple of days so it’s obviously too soon to note any difference, but the smell is gone. It’s a small portable unit, fits under the layout, and can be easily moved around. Time will tell... and I do have a 30-day return window.
Pic below,
Otto K. (OP)

[mmagliaro]

I will be very interested to read your continuing observations with this.  I never used one because I always doubted that they would really make a difference in how much dust ends up settling on my layout.  But it's the sort of thing I "wish" would work.

So it would be very useful to see some measurable results that prove whether or not these things help in a train room.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yes Max, that’s my dilemma too; how does one quantify benefits, if any, in a way that can be actually “measured”...?
Well, the smell is gone and it’s running on all of 55 watts, so as I said time will tell...
Otto