Surface Rust on track?

Just because the weather is good enough to have the windows open doesn't mean there still isn't substantial moisture in the air, especially in a basement.

The humidity indicator on the dehumidifier is not as accurate as a humidistat. If your dehumidifier is reading 45-50% but still running it hasn't reached the level yet.

I run my dehumidifier year round even with the ac and heat on.

It will shut off if and when 45% is ever reached

I'm in a relatively newer home with central air and still get at least a gallon or two of moisture out of my basement every day, even with the air on.

The only time my dehumidifier does not run is during the dead of winter. When Temps are well below freezing and it shuts itself off due to reaching a lower humidity level.

 I'm using fast track which is susceptible to rust and I've never seen rust ever.

I just pulled up Baltimore Maryland weather. 

Yes, temp is a comfy 62 degrees, but the HUMIDITY IS 82%.

A minor clarification - I have my dehumidifier set as low as possible (what exact %, I don't remember), 45% is just what it is running at during the current time. It feels very dry in the room. With windows open, the bucket fills completely in a day/overnight. Windows closed, it hardly gets an inch of water in the bucket.

We have run into that several times after running the track cleaning car soaked in various liquids. If we clean track and then shut the layout down....major surface rust every time. We live in CA, so humidity is not an issue.

If we clean track first, and then run trains for awhile on the freshly cleaned track....no surface rust. We can't wipe the track down and let it set, no matter what liquid we use. Clean track, run trains.... it's all good.

Just a thought  -  maybe a long shot  -  but since you mentioned "crud" vs rust, and the utility room shows no issue (at some degree "separate" from the full basement) check any containers that may have gardening chemicals, cleaning chemicals, agricultural chemicals or automotive fluids that might be stored in the basement.  If not properly sealed or re-closed after use, the vapors may be reacting with the track, especially where thorough cleaning removed a protective oil film or physical abrasion exposed new metal less resistant to chemical vapors.  Several years ago I found that a gallon bottle (plastic) of clorox on the bottom shelf of a storage unit had a very small hairline crack at its base, and the acid fumes caused a rust like patina on many of the metal items in that end of the basement.  I too thought it was moisture when first noticed, but after discovering the leak, removing the container, and cleaning up the offending spillage, no more "rust" problem.

Steam Rules

"a country boy can survive!"     (Bocephus, 1981)

SJC, I had the same exact problem you've shown in your pics and post. Well, not as bad as your first photo, but I had the same result as in your second photo. I too used 91% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the track, as I know many others also do. I also am in a high humidity area.

I'm not an electrical expert as others are, but I deviate and use DC current to my track. I've read that DC current somehow attracts more dirt or grime to the track. I too am otherwise a conventional operator and using all either Lionel or K-Line brand 027 track, with some actual postwar made Lionel 027 pieces.

So to remove the rust, I used WD-40 applied with a nylon scouring pad, which worked fine. I have since used WD-40 to clean the track, applying it the same way, letting it set overnight or so, and then wiping the track clean.

After I do this, the first trains I will run are without traction tires, and I do get some temporary slippage but this doesn't last long. I also periodically wipe the track using a scouring pad with no WD-40 or anything applied.

Now I have read some negative posts about WD-40, but I've now been cleaning my track for years by this method and have encountered no other bad effects.

As a final addendum, I've noticed this minor rusting more on modern era track than with postwar era Lionel track, for whatever reason.

"If we clean track and then shut the layout down....major surface rust every time."

"If we clean track first, and then run trains for awhile on the freshly cleaned track....no surface rust. We can't wipe the track down and let it set, no matter what liquid we use. Clean track, run trains.... it's all good."

What laidoffsick says here sounds like it could be a contributing cause. I can't recall, but I'm certain there were times I cleaned the track the old way and didn't run trains immediately afterwards. I just never put the two together as cause and effect.

Again, I'm not the resident expert on this particular issue, but it sure sounds very probable to me. Thanks laidoffsick.

I use Acetone to clean my tubeular track and it works great and is much easier than scotch brite,never had a rust problem and my humidity level runs at 7% most of the time.

Mikey

Interesting replies here - appreciate it. I'll try to hit all of the points without missing anything....

1) I typically clean the track before putting a new train on the track. Whether or not I actually run the new train that day is up in the air. This particular time, I cleaned the track without running trains long before or after. Just took what was on the track off, wiped everything down and put it all back on the track.

2) I have no chemicals, leaks, etc in the room. Nearest thing would be another closet in the basement that has a lot of chemicals (including some pretty acidic ones) for my koi pond. None are leaking nore really near the room. There is a long hall between the two. Never would have thought of that however so thanks for in the input there!

I'm really just surprised that brand new, coated/painted operating track also showed a little of this. Some of the dust on the layout (on the "to-do list") seems to have a reddish tint but it may be my eyes playing tricks on me. Like I said, I'm sure there is a little surface rust on everything but despite the cloth showing some residue, the track looks near pristine with no rust spots.

Why not simply oil your track with something like Wahl Clipper oil? It sure won't rust then.

had a little fun with tracking cleaning the other day while running trains. I've used acetone, laquer thinner, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol 70% and 91%. They all work equally as well. Just have to be careful not to get the pad to wet so that it runs down and attacks the paint on the rails