Opinion/Advice on Atlas O vs SS GarGraves

Using an abrasive on any track will remove any plating and leave scratches for dirt to collect. That surely hastened the demise of the tubular track.

I see that you live in the 50th state, so your situation may be like those that live near the coast on the mainland.

You can't do much about the effects of salt air. I don't think it matters which way it's blowing in. It's all around you.

Don't plan on using flex track if you go stainless steel. It just not malleable.

If you call Gargraves (Eastern US time), you will surely get the information that you need straight from the horse's mouth. They have seen it and heard it all. 

You may want to check some of Garden railroad websites for some feedback also.

I can't help you on the Atlas, except to say that the product is solid rail. Nickel plating can be very corrosion resistant. It depends on the alloy. Same for stainless steel. There are different alloys.

Regardless, either would be better than tin plated rail that has been abraded.

There have been a few discussions on humidity control on the forum and some coast dwellers chimed in. Search the forum for "humidity". I think you'll find some useful comments from experience there. Some drift to equipment preferences, but in there are some coastal comments.

I hope some others help you out.  Aloha.

Carl,

I guess the tubular track was my fault on that one I seen that technique online somewhere. Still by my doorway it's more harsh on the track than the other 80% of my temporary layout. Only near the doorway it got moderate rust.

I mentioned the salt air part because the north side of every home outside in this area has corrosion. You can see it on the windows and stuff. Even the cars have a film of salt in the morning on a certain side the windows. I don't live that close to the shore, haha if your thinking that at this very moment. I thought that might of been a major factor to the rust.

I'm going to contact GG and Atlas about their track systems. I did contact RC at some point and they definitely don't do a SS option, but Steve did mention they never seen rust on their switches unless it was outdoors. If they did SS I would of not even bothered to look at Atlas as an option. GG seems to be easier on the wallet and is more abundant at this time.

Anyways if I end up going SS GG it was sectional curves and straights the entire way except a few flex track for minor adjustments connecting the uneven areas. I'm only considering Atlas to be able to switch lines with the # switches instead of trying to do like a O72 or O100 with a S curve (I read thats not good from the Track Planning for Realistic Operation book and Garden Railroading.)

I thought about humidity control, but the room is the main room where you enter the home. I'm not sure how effective it will be, but I will check out "humidity" in the forums.

Thanks for the input.

The weekly track thread has arrived...

Since you have Steve's observation's on the Ross switches, why not use them. I have seen no complaints of corrosion on the forum. Then you have whichever you need. The #5's make nice mainline crosses. curved switches can save space creating a yard. You can use them with both Atlas and GG. The DZ switch machines are nice. Ross Ready is about the same money as any other switch with a motor.

So, the tinplating was working, except where it was removed. How about the painted ties? Any corrosion on the those? Tin over steel has been used for years. Look at RR lanterns and such.

I would be more concerned with the track connections and use some type of electrical grease.

Denatured alcohol is my favorite rail cleaner. Smells a little, but you don't need to use it often.

You can get what you need in Atlas. It just may take a few vendors. Try our forum sponsors. I know the shipping is a big factor, but most of them have good inventory.

Stainless is very difficult to solder wire connections, most likely mechanical connection required.  Note that Stainless phantom rail, (black center rail) I believe is not stainless. 

There are (2) choices for Gargraves stainless listed, the blacken center rail is not stainless.

One consideration that might need addressing is magne-traction.  It won't fully work on stainless and not at all on nickel silver.

Bruce