Rusty rails--on purpose

[FJ and G]

I put in another spur yesterday and for the last few inches, am painting the top of the rail rust color (electricity unimportant there). I've been watching the real railroads and they rarely run the cars right up to the bumper so there's usually a lot of rust there.

[wiz1500]

The rails at the plant I work at start to rust over night. Would it be great if we could have rusty rails and still pass the life giving juice.

[FJ and G]

wiz1500,

We could if we went to rechargeable batteries. This may soon happen with new technologies. Coincidentally, the MR editor's column in Feb05 addresses this, something I've been doing for 2 years now.

If the retrofit were easy, I'd convert and tear out my wiring. Heck, some of you might even tear out the center rail, but I don't want to seem blasphemious.

[wiz1500]

Fj and G
I have thought about R.C. but I can't get past the run and recharge time. I don't want to have to wait another 30 min. for a charge or change batt. every 15 to run my favorit loco. If they get that worked out I'll be first in line.