Atlas Steel vs Nickel

[BobbyDing]

Hey Folks,
I've been looking into the Atlas steel track for my layout and I have found that none of my local shops (all at least 1 hr travel, so not really local) carry it. They all have the nickel track. I have three post war locos I want to run, as well as a couple newer locos with the tires, which is why I was looking at the steel track.

I got to wondering if I couldn't get away with the nickel track[?]...Hmmmm. At this time I'm not planning any grades. Since the magnatraction does not work on the nickel track, how many cars can I expect to pull before I start to see slippage? For instance, I have a Lionel 2023 set (FA engine, FA dummy and four passenger cars). Do you think it will slip? What if I purchased another powered 2023 to replace the dummy FA (double the pulling power)[?]

Oh, also, I'm in Florida, the humidity state. Would I be asking for trouble with the steel track?

Yeah, I know I can order the steel track, but I like to be able to get what I need rather quickly once I need it. So how many cars before the average Lionel loco will slip? Any help would be greatly appreciated[:)]

Thanks

[overkill-phil]

I use the Atlas nickel and am amazed at how much better all the locos run on it vs. the tubular. Actually, the postwar engines grab like they have tires since the rails are flat and solid. I tested my postwar locos on the Atlas nickel first, figuring they were the "worst case scenario" before deciding on the Atlas nickel track. The steel was Atlas responding to alot of nitpickers with magnetraction. Problem is, Atlas built it and they didn't come! So Atlas decided to limit the offerings in steel and keep developing the nickel.
When I split my layout into multiple layers I plan to use the steel Atlas for the grades only, to get that little extra edge, if any. Just my 2 cents worth.

I still have problems with some of my prewar City of Portland sets and a 636W set. But I think they need a wheel change because they won't grab on anything I throw at them. Yet some of the other C of P sets grab fine and run smooth without any noticable slippage.

[Anonymous]

You will have wheel slippage on most engines without traction tires on N/S rail. The amount will vary depending on the weight of the engine, the number of cars you haul and the free rolling ability of wheels. If your layout includes grades the problem will be compounded to the point where steel rail of some type might be your only option.
Your FA set should perform OK on the level with only a minimum of wheel spin on startup. Adding another power unit will help improve the situation. You could also try adding a bit more weight to power units over their drive wheels for added traction. I plan on doing this to my old LV 627 44 tonner with magnetraction to see if it'll haul more than 6 PW cars without wheel slip.
Humidity will eventually rust fresh steel rail but the normal type of crud that accumulates on any rail due to regular use would actually protect the rail tops from rusting. In other words, steel rail shouldn't require any more cleaning than other types. Where I'd be concerned with steel rail is with it's conductivity qualities, it's inability to take soldering and the possibility that rust at rail joints will interupt continuity.

Bruce Webster

[Anonymous]

The Atlas steel track is stainless, it won't rust so humidity is not an issue. I'm not sure about the improved behavior for magnetration for two reasons. One, the formulation of the steel may not be magnetic. Two, tubular track has steel ties that carry the field across from outer rail to outer rail. Atlas uses plastic ties. Even if the steel has magnetic properties it will not be as strong as tubular track.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chuckn

The Atlas steel track is stainless, it won't rust so humidity is not an issue. I'm not sure about the improved behavior for magnetration for two reasons. One, the formulation of the steel may not be magnetic. Two, tubular track has steel ties that carry the field across from outer rail to outer rail. Atlas uses plastic ties. Even if the steel has magnetic properties it will not be as strong as tubular track.

Thanks for setting me straight on Atlas's stainless steel composition. Ignore my comments concerning rust problems. While stainless does have magnetic qualities it isn't as good a plain steel due to the high nickle content.

Bruce Webster

[Anonymous]

Different formulations of stainless steel have different magnetic properties. Some react very strongly, other almost none. I don't know which category the Atlas track falls into.

[Anonymous]

Atlas steel track is not stainless steel. It is magnetic and because of its solid mass my magnetraction engines pull really well on it,much better than anyones tubular track. The only downside to the solid steel is the limited availabilty compared to the nickel silver and it is difficult to solder to the rails.

Dale Hz

[andregg1]

HI to all
Is true, if you use nickel you loss your magnetraction, but the rail is flat so the contact area is biger than tubular track.
Andre.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dale Hz

Atlas steel track is not stainless steel. It is magnetic and because of its solid mass my magnetraction engines pull really well on it,much better than anyones tubular track. The only downside to the solid steel is the limited availabilty compared to the nickel silver and it is difficult to solder to the rails.

Dale Hz

OK....so I dragged out my Atlas catalog and sure enough, Atlas steel track is just that...solid steel! Sorry for adding to the confusion on this subject. What I originally posted still stands.

Bruce Webster

[Anonymous]

I have 4 loops of Atlas NS and 3 loops of Atlas solid steel. My Lionel 2055 and like engines have no problem pulling 20 modern freight cars on solid steel. Stainless steel is non magnetic and is made with the addition of chromium,the amount of chromium determines the grade of stainless. The track joiners for the solid steel track are still nickel silver,they are easily soldered too. Some people have put conductive grease in the track joiners with good results of preventing corrosion and maintaing conductivity. The track itself can also be soldered it just requires a lot of heat and patients. My steel track has been down a year and has not rusted,however may layout is not in a basement. Because the rails are solid surface rust could be cleaned off almost indefinatly. Once the tin plating is off tubular track it becomes a maintenance problem. My previous layout was Gargraves and I had a terrible rust problem.

I spoke with the Atlas people at York and they have no plans of exapnding the solid steel line but are going to continue offering it as is. For operators of post war locos I think this is by far the best track available. I think Atlas shoud have pushed this line more. I still enjoy running my magnetraction engines and there are no traction tires to throw. You can also run modern engines on the steel track,there is no disadvantage to them on solid steel.

Dale Hz

[Chris F]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BobbyDing

I got to wondering if I couldn't get away with the nickel track[?]...Hmmmm. At this time I'm not planning any grades. Since the magnatraction does not work on the nickel track, how many cars can I expect to pull before I start to see slippage?

Here's a thread regarding MTH RealTrax (nickel/silver) and a nearly identical 2032:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=54067

[BobbyDing]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dale Hz

My Lionel 2055 and like engines have no problem pulling 20 modern freight cars on solid steel.

Thanks all. Great Info. I appreciate the access to your experience.

DALE HZ...How many can the same loco pull on the NS[?]

Thanks...Bobby

[Anonymous]

I never really did a pull test on NS,but I can tell you the biggest difference is on the curved track. There is much less slippage on the curves when running on steel track as opposed to NS. I can also tell you that my postwar magnetraction runs much better on solid steel as opposed to Gargraves tubular. I have non magnetraction postwar and they do not pull as much as the magnetraction engines. It is not only how much it pulls but how it pulls,there is much less slippage when accelerating from a dead stop.

Dale Hz