Lionel Fast Track and Rust

All FasTrack rusts faster than O/O-27 here too. It's a very strange steel alloy - very cheap chinese metal... a drawback for sure.

There seems to be ample circumstancial reports about the potential for oxidation of this Lionel product that warrants further investigation, perhaps in a laboratory analysis setting?

I have about 175 feet of Fastrack in the garage (5 years) in Rockwall Texas. No problems

Brent

not seen rust in a basement layout but the plastic end connections of the track loosen over time and the metal ends become wiggly and need tightening up, that is if you put it up, tear down, put it up, tear down, etc...  now i've got the whole mess held together with paper binder clips and zip ties, of which i prefer neither but the former is somewhat more flexible to deal with than the ties should modifications to the track need to be made.  i've yet to find an easy solution for continuity issues, save just adding jumper wires...

when taken down i store my track in large long plastic bins -- the kind that slide under beds and are readily available at places like home depot --  that seem to seal reasonably well... 

I, too, personally have NEVER experienced any oxidation or conductivity problems with my yards and yards of this product but some other forum members apparently have.

Gentlemen,

   I have many 100's feet of 1st and 2nd Generation FasTrack, absolutely no rust on any of it, the original FasTrack was very high quality stuff.  The newer FasTrack seems not have the same quality control standards and I have seen some on other owners layouts  that has developed rust spots.   IMO think Lionel should replace the rusted FasTrack.

PCRR/Dave

Severn posted:

not seen rust in a basement layout but the plastic end connections of the track loosen over time and the metal ends become wiggly and need tightening up, that is if you put it up, tear down, put it up, tear down, etc...  now i've got the whole mess held together with paper binder clips and zip ties, of which i prefer neither but the former is somewhat more flexible to deal with than the ties should modifications to the track need to be made.  i've yet to find an easy solution for continuity issues, save just adding jumper wires...

when taken down i store my track in large long plastic bins -- the kind that slide under beds and are readily available at places like home depot --  that seem to seal reasonably well... 

 

For your continuity issues check out this video. I usually do this with my fingers but you can do it this way too.

FasTrack Continuity testing & fix

I have a small permanent layout that was built about 20 years ago. It is stored in a non environmentally controlled building that is exposed to extreme temperatures and high humidity. We found out quickly that Tubular and regular Gargaves track did not last at all. It rusted easily, and after year two it was shot. I would assume that your attic mimics similar conditions that I have here.

In 2001, all of the track was replaced with a mix of Stainless Steel Gargaves and Realtrax. Both have held up extremely well and require very minimal maintenance year to year in the same environment. In 2010 we did an environment test on some Fastrack and again by 2012 is was pretty rusty and in need of replacement.

Storage conditons are possibly a factor here?

Tinplate Art posted:

Storage conditons are possibly a factor here?

That's my guess. Attics get hot & cold, and the humidity can get pretty high too. These conditions do not agree with the cheaper steel that makes up Fastrack (and tubular) rails.

Most of my Fastrak has not rusted but I have noticed that a few pieces have rust on them.Some I have bought used.Is it possible that the track is getting cleaned by an abrasive thus removing the plating causing it to rust over time??Nick

My 10'x16' fastrack layout is from the mid 2000's. The only fastrack I've had rust was accidentally forgotten for a couple of weeks on a deck railing outside after being used for a sale ad.

I've even had a portion of my layout get wet a couple of years ago ( don't ask). Pulled up the track, dried it off, ran a fan and dehumidifier for a few days and the track went back down good as new. I even had a remote switch get wet, after drying out, works fine to this day.

Having said all that, my layout is in a "newer" basement, drylock on the walls, as well as vapor barrier insulation, and epoxy on the floor. Its fully heated and airconditioned ,even so, a dehumidifier is still used most warmer months when the humidity is greater than 50%.

Not only is this good for my trains, its good for the T.V., furniture computer, etc. etc. even myself.

While I cannot say fastrack is or isn't inferior to old tubular track, an attic environment is as extreme as it gets. 

I understand folks here come from all financial levels and are limited as to what they can do. However I've seen posts  where layouts are in basements that regularly have standing water on the floor and the members don"t even have a dehumidifier, I just cringe.

In South Florida at least, O-gauge FastTrack has a reputation for easily rusting, even on dealer's shelves. I think a spray of WD40 is a good idea for new track before you use it, and also prior to putting it back into storage between seasons. Too bad WD40 discontinued their applicator pen that was like a magic marker, it was great for treating rails with WD40 without getting a lot of overspray on the plastic roadbed. Perhaps a paint pen with rail brown color would help cut down on the rust, too.

Bill in FtL

Complete Lionel guy here! But, the finish of the track is sub standard IMHO.

I have found the corrosion is usually caused by another agent, skin oil from hands, cleaning or lubricating fluids, smoke fluid or sanding. Like you have experienced, it's not common or widespread.

My layout in the house is FasTrack, but you could say that is "climate controlled". However, the FasTrack for my Christmas layout is stored in a area that is anything but (moisture/ extreme heat and cold). No rust has been seen over 12 years. I once saw some FasTrack with rust at a train show, however. Maybe newer FasTrack is more rust prone?