Trains.com

Rusty spurs idea

586 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • 6,434 posts
Rusty spurs idea
Posted by FJ and G on Thursday, February 16, 2006 9:03 AM
I don't know if anyone's ever tried making some little-used or abandoned rusty spurs, but within a few weeks (possibly this weekend), I'm going to be doing this outside with 027 track, of which I have quite a bit. Plans are to sand and solder the tops of the rails and then sit and watch them weather naturally in the rain and snow. The bead of solder along the top should allow operations. I'm thinking that eventually, they'll rust away completely, but that should take a long time, judging from my rail experiment last October (the 027 rail is still outside and still rusty but is holding up very well).

These spurs will be connected to my current code 148 nickel-silver rail

Here's the rusty rail experiment, still holding up well (photo taken last fall but rail looks now to be in about the same shape):



  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 16, 2006 9:14 AM
Rusty Spurs?

Wasn't he a character in "Brokeback Mountain"

As to the rails, wouldn't painting them a rust color be easier?
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Thursday, February 16, 2006 9:57 AM
Dave, I've been painting the sides of my Gargraves rails. Real rust is a dangerous thing, and not advisable to start. The bright orange rust isn't even that realistic. Go out and look at the sides of actual rail.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • 6,434 posts
Posted by FJ and G on Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:15 AM
Elliot,

Perhaps the rust would endanger the motor? When I was a kid, I ran a Scout for years on Rusty track on a dirt basement floor.
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:32 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by GrouchoMarx999

Rusty Spurs?

Wasn't he a character in "Brokeback Mountain" . . .


Wouldn't know. Haven't seen it yet. I'm taking a group of elderly garden club women to see it this weekend. I hope they like westerns!

Jim

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:48 AM
Dave, I suppose if particles were flaking off, they could get into the motor, especially if you have magnetraction. I've just always been of the opinion that rust should be avoided at all cost. I would rather simulate rust than encourage it.

Living in the land of ice and snow, where they use salt on the roads, car washes here make a lot of money. After 13 years my truck is starting to show signs.

Most of the time when people say they have rusty track, the recommendation is to throw it away. From now on, I'll say "send it to Dave".[:O][:P][;)][:o)]

I know you're not a Navy man, you're a Marine, but isn't rust still the enemy?

Rust never sleeps.[swg]
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Central PA
  • 2,536 posts
Posted by jefelectric on Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:50 AM
David,

There was an article about this in one of the recent Model Railroad magazines, not sure which one, but I think either MR or MRC. I'll try to find it but my filling system (no-existent) isn't to good. Of course this was on an indoor layout with fake rust.
John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 16, 2006 11:01 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

QUOTE: Originally posted by GrouchoMarx999

Rusty Spurs?

Wasn't he a character in "Brokeback Mountain" . . .


Wouldn't know. Haven't seen it yet. I'm taking a group of elderly garden club women to see it this weekend. I hope they like westerns!

Jim


[:0] Egads! Nurse! Take my pulse! Better yet let me take your pulse!

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month