Stainless Steel Track

[Anonymous]

I am new to Garden Railroading. I have been told by a G Scale train retailer that I should start right by using only stainless steel track. I've talked with three other dealers being told not to waste my money.

I liive in Salmon, ID. Temperature range from -30 to 105. The humidity is usually low. The soil is more fairly high on the base side (alkaline).

Appreciate your experience and suggestions.

sdg1

[Tom The Brat]

The stainless oxydizes better than brass, but tree sap, dog pee and other such encrustations can eliminate that benefit. There's not a huge price difference. If you run battery power or live steam, the difference is just do you want your rails yellow or gray.

[ttrigg]

Samuel

Like Torby said, "There's not a huge price difference. If you run battery power or live steam, the difference is just do you want your rails yellow or gray."

I happen to be using brass track and rail power. (personal preference on my part, because it is easier, at least for me, to solder brass for those "long runs") I initially selected brass for the flexibility of connections: solder and mechanical (standard rail joiners or split rail clamps), I believe that with stainless you are limited to mechanical (if you do a lot of reading here you will read about the frustrations of many people over those blasted little screws.) After 2 plus years of being out in the weather the rails are about 40% oxidized (brassy/light brown color.) I happen to like the color of brass over stainless (again that is just a personal preference.) Since you will (or should) be ballasting the track, your soil conditions should not have that much affect on the rails.

Reading between the lines I take it that you have four retailers near enough to talk to. Count yourself lucky. My three nearest retailers are 18, 34 and 62 miles from my house.

Not trying to avoid answering your question, but this hobby is about personal preference and having fun.

[tangerine-jack]

If I had to start over from scratch, I may be tempted to go with the stainless. This is only because I have found that my personal methods of railroading do not involve my soldering the rails, and I like the color of the stainless better. I have been running brass for a while now, and it's held up remarkably well and has weathered to a pleasing brown color. Remember that all of this outdoor track is tough as nails anyway and all of it will serve you for many, many years to come.

As ttrig stated, a lot of it is personal preference and style. There are no cookie cutter methods, use what works, experiment and adapt. What is right for me may be an epic disaster for you. You will have to find out these answers for yourself for the most part.

[Anonymous]

Hey!

I'm new to GRR too. I've read a lot in the archives here and posted a similar question in the track build forum next door. I'm using the HDPE flexible roadbed technique which had a bearing on the track type. I decided to go with AMS code 250 brass based on the recommendations I rec'd here. They have the same sale on now that Aristo has, BTW.

The main reason I went with the 250 is because it can be formed on larger radius curves by hand, although I might wind up with a railbender anyway. I plan on running track power, at least initially, so track maintenance is a consideration. I didn't want the installation issues with stainless. I know it can be harder to bend and work with. I'm not big on the color either, although I could certainly live with it. Just some more food for thought. Best of luck to you.