Abstract: Electrically nonconductive rotary cleaner elements supported for movement into and out of contact with a third rail of an electrified railway vehicle includes sets of cleaner elements arranged in tandem along one side of an adjustable carriage. The carriage is mounted in a frame structure having a device for rigidly attaching the frame to a wheel truck portion of the railway vehicle. Power driving apparatus received in the carriage provide for vertical movements of the carriage in the frame as well as actuating the rotary cleaner elements. The drive apparatus is responsive to a control device located in the cab of the railway vehicle. A counterbalancing weight arrangement mounted in the frame and attached to upper sides of the carriage provides for uniformly guided travel of the carriage in all positions.