Model Power Track Question(s)

[Mouse]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if there are any pros / cons to Model Power's HO scale Steel track aswell as there Nickel Silver Track? It seems that the track I currently own is from a mixture of companys such as Atlas, Bachmann and Model Power. all work just fine together.

Today, I came across Model Power's Clearance section and they have 2 items im thinking about purchasing as they are at a great price. First up, is a Nickel Silver Curved Terminal Track for 50 cents. http://store.modelpower.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2874

All of my current terminals are on Rerailers I dont care to use so much. I know straights are prefferd but for 50 cents, seems good to me.

Second is a pack of 3 18" straight sections of Steel Track for 1 dollar. I know that Steel requires more mainteance then Nickel Silver rails but im fine with a normal cleaning. http://store.modelpower.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2812

Currently, im using several 9" straight sections and cant always get them to lay down in a straight line. So i was thinking with a few of these, id have better results as well as be able to add some extra track to what i own!

So what do you think?

-Chris

 

[Motley]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if there are any pros / cons to Model Power's HO scale Steel track aswell as there Nickel Silver Track? It seems that the track I currently own is from a mixture of companys such as Atlas, Bachmann and Model Power. all work just fine together.

Today, I came across Model Power's Clearance section and they have 2 items im thinking about purchasing as they are at a great price. First up, is a Nickel Silver Curved Terminal Track for 50 cents. http://store.modelpower.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2874

All of my current terminals are on Rerailers I dont care to use so much. I know straights are prefferd but for 50 cents, seems good to me.

Second is a pack of 3 18" straight sections of Steel Track for 1 dollar. I know that Steel requires more mainteance then Nickel Silver rails but im fine with a normal cleaning. http://store.modelpower.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2812

Currently, im using several 9" straight sections and cant always get them to lay down in a straight line. So i was thinking with a few of these, id have better results as well as be able to add some extra track to what i own!

So what do you think?

-Chris

Why don't you just use flextrack? It's way easier to use, and it's 3' long so you don't have to worry about lining up several 9" straight sections.

 

[Mouse]

While flex track is awsome and im sure one day i will build a layout with pretty much 100% flex track, there are two reasons atm why i am considering buying these.

1: I already own a good amount of individual track pieces in various sizes. None of which are this long :/

2: The price is very reasonable and in my budget right now. So if you were in my shoes, would you buy these?

 

[Motley]

In that case, for a dollar, why not, they should work just fine. Go for it.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The steel track gets dirty quickly and it's prone to rust and is hard to keep clean. The nickel-silver track is easy to keep clean, doesn't get dirty as quickly and doesn't rust. Need I say more?

 

[Larry]

I just threw away about 100 pcs. of steel track. There were straights, curves in 18", 24" & 36" sections. All of it had some rust either on top or on the side of the rails. Some of it had a lot of corrision where it hooked together. All of it had been stored in a basement up north for many years. A guy came by 1 day a couple years ago & dropped off all this track. It was in pretty bad shape then. I was never going to use it & I didn't want anyone else to have the same problems, so, I gave it to the garbage pickup.
I would never use steel track on a layout. It's bad for the wheels on an engine & the rust flakes always seem to find a way to get into the motor area.

 

[Mouse]

Well with that said, i have another question lol! Since a good portion of us model RR's paint our rails / ties, what if i were to paint the rails with some form of rustoleum? Would that then protect it from rust and other forms of corrosion?

All my other track is Nickel Silver so these would be my only steel track sections.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

In a word, no. However it's protected the tops and inside edges of the rails would always be exposed and it will be these areas that any rust or corrosion attacks and eventually makes it's beneath the paint layer.

 

[IowaFarmBoy]

Prototype track on well used lines is rusty except for the top and inside edge. Wheels keep polishing the rust off. However I do not know if regular running will keep steel rails on a model from rusting.