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Track Conditioning
Lee has a question for readers:
“I live on the coast of NC. My O scale layout goes from the game room through the wall into the garage.
The ‘Salty’ air is rusting the track. I use steel wool, sand paper, and everything else I can think of. Is there ANY treatment that can be done to help?”
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7 Responses to Track Conditioning
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Don’t use steel rail use nickel silver which resists corrosion much better.
I agree with Robert don’t use steel wool to clean your track I run G scale or garden railroad out side. when you use steel wool or sand paper you are warring down your track, I use a scotch-barite with WD40 cleans up real nice I have brass track and it is a softer metal then steel nickel silver would be a good idea for you and use the WD40 on it.
happy railroading
fred
As already recommended, steel rail would not be good in a “salty air” situation.
I agree with the responses of not using steel wool or sand-paper or emery paper, either of which will wear down the surface and could leave particles embedded in the surface. The “Scotch Brite” is a finer grade of abrasive and should not remove too much metal, but will take off the “rust’.
WD40 is good for pushing water off the surface, leaving a thin oily film to guard it.
Some people claim that automatic transmission fluid is good to clean the surface, then rub a graphite stick over the rail top surface to improve conduction and prevent oxidation.
Let us know the results.
Thanks forthe tip.Ihavve an N scale layout that comprised over 100 feet of track.. Trains stall at random points despite mutiple feeder points along the line. I will try your tips with scotchbrite and WD 40 and see what happens. Thanks again
use electrolite exalant water displacement and cotinenuity you wont be disapoited
Gargraves trackage offers Stainless Steel track and that would permanently cure the problem actual wood ties Great Item
Use Gargraves Stainless steel track this will permanently stop the corrosion problem .