Trains.com

alluminum <> corrosion

1299 views
10 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 12:57 AM
thats a neet site Gscalechuffchuff that has given me a lot of NEW ideias.... i dont know if this is good or bad hahahah

thanks everyone for the help
Super Chicken
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 119 posts
Posted by Kiwi Down Under on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 1:44 AM
Superchicken
Have a look at www.gscalechuffchuff.com for aluminium track. Its no problem at all provided its supported in place.

Tony
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 1:06 AM
ok then i think im gonna stick too alluminum track??
I havent herd too much too end up worring too much about it??
and its a lot cheaper!!!

Super Chicken
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Sunday, March 26, 2006 8:47 PM
I have.....10 railclamps on the entire 1400 feet.
8 are for bridges (4 each) that come out when not running, two are a 332-250 adaptor out of the shed, everything else is slipjoiners, and no problems.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 26, 2006 7:56 PM
the climate where i live is about 60's too 20's F so how much contraction and expantion problems do you think i would relly have???

the reason im thinking alluminum is that its a heck of a lot cheaper than Brass.

Thanks
Super Chicken
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Virginia Beach
  • 2,150 posts
Posted by tangerine-jack on Sunday, March 26, 2006 7:25 PM
True, I'm sure there are many who've used aluminum for track power with no problems, there are always exceptions. What about the expansion/contraction problems? The aluminum rail layouts I've seen all have problems which require frequent adjustments.

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Sunday, March 26, 2006 7:21 PM
I used to think track power only, but I've run into a half-dozen or so folks who use aluminium for track power with zero problems.

Soft is actually good.
You can get aluminium to follow contours like 32 brass or stainlss never will.
Vertical cureves are a snap, not a kink at a joiner.
I'd never use anything else, nor would any of the locals.

Spent the afternoon running on an aluminium rairway.....
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Virginia Beach
  • 2,150 posts
Posted by tangerine-jack on Sunday, March 26, 2006 6:37 PM
Aluminum should only be used with a battery/RC railway. It's no good for track power. Otherwise you shouldn't have to worry about anything as the 6061-T6 aluminum alloy for the track is exactly the same as what Boing uses on their tail sections of the 737 and 757.

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: North of Chicago
  • 1,050 posts
Posted by Tom The Brat on Sunday, March 26, 2006 4:45 PM
Just that Aluminum is a softer metal and easier to damage.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Sunday, March 26, 2006 1:27 PM
Doesn't bother me.
All outdoor trackage on the 1400' CCRy is aluminum.
The rougher the better the tracction.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
alluminum <> corrosion
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 26, 2006 8:36 AM
with alluminum in this part of the country i know that it corrodes very fast
we have this spray on anti corrosion stuff that works good... has anyone ever tried this with alluminum rails or not

is this the only problem with alluminum rails or not?

thanks
Super Chicken

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy