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Hello.

I've  been using Lionel 0 & 027 gauge tubular track for my Post War layout in my basement for years, and had to deal with rusty rails. I decided to try ATLAS O gauge  track and switched because they will not rust, but I don't like the flimsy turnouts or lack of Magna-Traction.  I have two questions. 

1. Is there a way to coat Lionel Tubular track with something that will reduce the rust and not interfere with operations?

2. Is there a new track that has similar Magna-Traction properties, and non-derailing switches, like Post War Tubular track, yet will not rust as rapidly? 

Thanks.

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Thanks for all the good advice. I have decided to go back to Lionel 027 and/or O gauge Tubular for a few reasons. I like the idea of keeping the layout exclusively Post War. All my locos, rolling stock, operating accessories and power supplies are Post War.  I do miss the Magna-Traction on a couple of pieces. Also, I miss the non-derailing turnouts most of all. 

yardlet6  gives good advise.   A dehumidifier should help.  Check the humidity in your train  room/area then run a humidifier for several days and check it again.  If it has lowered but not enough to satisfy your needs add another.  They do require looking after but once you establish a service routine  they can be very beneficial.

When I was a kid decades ago, my dad finished off the basement and built a nice HO layout down there. A dehumidifier fixed the problems with damp and mold. It had a pan that needed to be emptied of water periodically, but my dad set it up with a drain hose into the sump pump. (that was in upstate NY).

I'm now using a lot of old tubular rail but I live in a relatively dry climate out west with layout space in a house, so no rust problems here.

Last edited by Ace

If your track is rusting, your humidity is at a level exceeding more than track concerns.  Check the moisture percentage of your joists.  You may be surprised!  Normally I would expect them to be in the 4% to 9% range,  From what you descrobe you may see a reading in the upper teens/low 20s. Read mold. Check for blackening.

As far as "post war" goes, Gargraves was a very popular post war solution to the quaint Lionel offerings back then.

Last edited by Tom Tee

If your tubular track is off the layout, you might try soaking them in a liquid rust remover solution overnight.  I did this and worked wonders.  I used a product from Home Depot, Metal Rescue, but I know other products work as well.  And as for non-derailing switches, if you have PW 022s they can be refurbished quite nicely, otherwise consider the new releases from OLR (O Line Reproductions).  I did both (refurbished old ones and purchased new ones) and both work well.  Learned about and purchased them from Pat's Trains from this forum. 

Have fun with your PW items.

Michael

Hi Michael. Thanks for the info about the Metal Rescue. I will pick some up at the local Home Depot. I've had many PW 022 non-derailing switches, and am very familiar with rehabbing them. I'll check eBay and pick up a few old ones. I'll also look up O Line Reproduction at Pat's Trains. That sounds very interesting to me. I try to run PW exclusively. Have a good weekend.  

I would be more concerned about the humidity affecting the trains as RJR mentioned.  If you go the dehumidifier route, get a top of the line model.  If your house has central air conditioning, consider installing a register or two in the basement.  I have a damp basement when the weather is warm.  Some of the feeder ductwork runs through the space.  I noticed that it would sweat profusely.  An HVAC contractor told me to put a outlet register and a return register in that ductwork.  Problem solved.  For those wondering why the metal ductwork is not insulated; Insulation can cause more problems on metal ductwork.  The moisture sits in the ducts causing rust and worse.  So for the ten feet of exposed ducts down there, the extra air was the proper solution.  

By the way, I don't have a basement layout.  Haven't had one for twenty five years.  My upcoming layout will be in the attic over the garage, which will be climate controlled.

Real RR track is rusty on the sides of the rails and can be clean on the top depending on the frequency of use. I like the rusted look of model RR track. if the rails rust on top, (which they usually don't) some fine emery paper gets the tops of the rails shiny again. If you like the prototype look and dislike rust, then paint the side rails a rust brown using oil based paint. That gives you rust protection and realism all in one.

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