Should I buy new track?

[mjdx88]

I have a bunch of track from about 7 or 8 years ago, i believe its copper, it seems to run fine with the HO train set i ordered not to long ago, although i needed to do a little sanding. As well i got a bunch of track from the guy who sent me the HO set, enough to run a oval around my the edges of my 4 x 7 layout but this track seems really dirty as well as a little rust but i sanded it down and cleaned it off. Will I be fine using all this track on my layout, or should i just by new track? btw the track that came with the set i believe is nickle/sliver? =/

[LongIslandTom]

Ditch the old brass track and go all nickel silver.

Brass track will give you A LOT of headaches in the future. They are very maintenance-intensive and requires cleaning every other day, because oxidized brass will not conduct electricity.

Nickel silver track is conductive even when oxidized. Does not require frequent cleaning.

Hope this helps!

[mjdx88]

thanks that does, help. I got another question but if this one goes unanswered i can understand it could be found in google in a matter of seconds. but whats the difference between code 83 track and 100?
I also just realized i might have a problem with track i have.... i set it up in a circle becuase idk what size i have, i measured it and the circle measured from the inner circle to inner is 32 in.. and from outter to outter was about 34 maybe a little more...which would be i have 16 inch radius.....this doesnt seem to make sense? =/

[ March 04, 2006, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: mjdx88 ]

[LongIslandTom]

The rail code indicates how tall is the rail. Code 100 rail is .100 inches tall. Code 83 is .083 inches tall.

Code 83 is closer to prototypical rail in scale.

As far as the rail circle diameter goes, I would guess you got 18-inch radius. The 18-inch radius is measured from the center of the circle to the midline between the two rails.

Hope this helps!

[mjdx88]

yeah that was a pretty dumb mistake the ones u make at 1:30 am the 18 inch radius was printed on the back >.<

[watash]

If you have rail that rusted, it is steel, so will give you more problems than brass does.

If you have a choice, get nickel silver like Tom says, it is the better of the 3, and solders well also.

Not a good idea to sand rail tops because the grit leaves little grooves like a plowed field. The pointy tops of these grooves chip off plastic from wheels, and also collect dust which builds up to make a coating of cruddy gum that makes poor contact.

Use a solvent and wipe it clean and dry afterward, or at least use the CrayTex eraser.

In my opinion, that is. :D

[ March 07, 2006, 12:06 AM: Message edited by: watash ]