Hi Ferdinand! I would not recommend aluminum track if you plan to operate track powered locos. If you run electricity through the track do not mix aluminum and brass rail. AristoCraft http://www.aristocraft.com/ has stainless steel rail that I have found works great outdoors. Deer walk on it, no damage. Three years outside with one power lead to the rails without loss of electricity in three years (using the stainless steel rail clamps). Every club member who has used aluminum rail has either torn it up and replaced it with brass, nickel silver, or stainless due to oxidation except one member. Trains just stall around his track. It is a push the trains often type track. Reduces the fun for most of us.
LGB brass track darkens nicely, AristoCraft brass takes a long time to darken. Stainless steel stays bright and shiny unless darkened with paint or stain. Nickel silver works well, unless you live in a large city with acid rain, then it pits according to San Val Trains (located near Los Angeles airport). If you seek realistic guaged rail that works well outdoors you might look at Sunset Valley Trackworks http://www.svrronline.com/ Stainless Steel rail in code 332 is barely more expensive than brass through AristoCraft (St. Aubin Station has AristoCraft Stainless Steel rail http://www.lgbpola.com/ ) or you can buy stainless steel rail through http://www.hrtrains.com/ but know in advance your wallet will hemorage money! Gary - chilling in Eugene, Oregon http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor ----- Original Message ----- From: FBM Studios <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 7:47 PM Subject: Track Help > Hi Everyone, > > Well summer is over and I finally have space and time to start the > garden layout. > I am in the process of gathering track - Here is the dilemma : > I have some Aristo track left - probably around 30 feet, and I can also > get code 332 > aluminum rail. I am modeling 7/8N2 - My choice is the fast easy pre > made track or > laying 332 on proper size cedar ties. This is where I would appreciate > your input. I have had > a large G scale layout indoors, and have not done one outdoors as of > yet. The space available > is roughly 15 feet by 35 feet. > Thanks in advance > Cheers Ferdinand >
