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Rusty Train Tracks
Lee is having a problem with rusty O scale track and asks:
“One of my tracks goes through the wall of the game room out into the garage. I live at the coast (NC) and I am having a hard time keeping this track clean. As in rust. HELP PLEASE!”
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5 Responses to Rusty Train Tracks
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try a product called no-ox you can get it at home depot or any electrical supply .you need to wipe it on as thin as you can. i use it on HO with very good results. you still have to clean the track but not as often. no-ox means NO OXIDATION
Modern track is made of nickel-silver, which does not rust. The old steel track had a tin coating to prevent rust, but this was quickly removed by everyone who used a track rubber.
If you must stick with steel rails, clean the top thoroughly with steel wool, and apply a thin coating of oil such as 3-in1 or WD40.
But remember this, your great advantage is that the rusty part of the rails will look extremely realistic !
This may sound a little too radical, have you considered replacing the steel track with nickel silver or other non-ferrous material. Nickel silver track does not rust, iron oxide destroys the structure of the track. The oxidation on nickel silver is easily removed with suitable cleaning either abrasive or chemical, this oxidation leaves a pleasant rust colour on the side of the track.
I had a garden layout in OO for many years in nickel silver, the only problems encountered were UV degradation of the plastic base and linear expansion of the metalwork, the latter prototypical in some 1 to 1 railways.
Try Gargraves stainless steel tracks.
How about a light coating of conductive oil?