How long should track last?

Well since Nickel Silver rail should never corrode, I would then guess that the Atlas O and MTH solid Nickel Silver rail track systems should last for ever.

Scott,

 

     I guess I was under the assumption that it would last as long as I was in the hobby. With that being said, I have only been exposed to regular Lionel or K-Line O gauge track. I have some that I got back in 1954 and works as well as what I bought in 2009. My next layout will be done in Gargraves, but me now at 62, it will not have to be as hardy as the original stuff.

 

Rick

Under normal conditions, the only thing that's going to make FasTrack corrode is moisture, and lots of it.  I have never had tubular steel track -- be it 027, O or FasTrack -- corrode.  In fact, I have some Lionel O track that belonged to my father when he was a kid in the Twenties, and it shows no corrosion.  Likewise, all the Marx and Lionel 027 track I used in the early Fifties is still corrosion-free, as is the Super O I had on my Seventies layout.

 

Just keep it dry.

I've had my fastrack layout up for over 7 years, looks just as good as the day I laid it, no corrosion problem of any kind. One piece even got wet, I cleaned off the water stains and never had a problem.

 

I imagine a damp basement, garage, or barn layout etc., with out humidity control would be more likely to encounter problems.

 

Like everything else in this hobby, there are too many variables to make an assumption. One thing is for sure, stay away from simple green as a cleaner

I've had Atlas track since it came out with no degradation.

 

Gerry

I've had my fastrack in my hot humid Florida garage for at least five years. A few pieces did get some corrosion but it was from my own hot sweaty hands.

Scott,

    If taken care of properly the track should last forever, the box is getting a might worn after 3 generations, I blame that on poor handeling from us boys.

PCRR/Dave

 

These Lionel 711 switches and the track with them, came with a life time guarantee.  They are both older than I am and are still in great running shape.  I expect no less from my Lionel FasTrack, and my MTH RealTrax.

 

I've had Fastrack for 8 years and never any rust problems.

Scott I wonder if the Hobby Shop owner used Simple Green to clean his track?

It will, provided you never run trains on it.  I've seen hobby store display layout N.S. rail worn down to next to nothing from several years of constant running.

 

Pete

Do you have something that shows a lifetime guarantee?  If so, I assume it's for track only and not the motor components, right? And would it apply to all switches? 

Just out of curiosity what does Simple Green do to model railroads ?  I have repeatedly seen warnings on this forum not to use it, but no explanation.  I have some in the container on my workbench for use on bicycle chains.  It's about 15 feet from my layout and I'm starting to think I should move it outside or something.

I have some Standard gauge track from the early twenties that I have worn out. When I was young I ran my trains given to me by my Dad until the wheels Literally fell off and the brushes ground into the commutators. I had an obsession with cleaning the track all the time and I used 1000 grit sand paper to clean it.

Needless to say I had some track that was worn clear through the top of the center rail.

We also wore out the pick up rollers every year or two.

Just my two cents

I've had FasTrack out in my garage now (no humidity/temp control) for about 7 years; I haven't noticed any sort of corrosion yet.

 

- Mike

Bicycle chains, eh? Might want to read this thread (offsite): 

 

Long story short, one of our members was using SG on his FasTrack layout, and later discovered extensive corrosion had set in on almost all his trackwork, ruining all sorts of electrical connections and continuity. He would up replacing all his Fastrack (actually he buried the old track and laid new track over it)

 

---PCJ