Need track help right away if possible (aluminum)............

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hello Gents…I need to spend some money today, last day of the year. I know it sounds nuts, but at least I get to spend it on railroading!

Here’s my question…I know aluminum track is really not sensible for outdoor track unless you want to spend your life cleaning track or use battery powered trains, but what about indoors?

Am I safe to assume aluminum indoors will not oxidize like it does outdoors?

I am indoor g-scale (nominally 1:24) and I have experienced track conductivity differences between brass and stainless steel track; stainless steel seems to conduct less electricity than brass and the locomotive runs more slowly.

Is there a big difference in conductivity between aluminum (the solid kind, not the tubular stuff) and stainless steel?

Thanks…and by the way, does anyone have experience with www.wholesaletrains.com, which is where I am planning to buy the aluminum track if it looks like it will work?

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Aluminum oxidizes immediately on contact with air. So if your indoor room doesn’t have oxygen in it the track won’t oxidize.

I wouldn’t touch it.

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Hi!

I believe you would be better served if you posted your questions on the Classic Model Trains or Garden Railroad section of this Forum. Folks here are basically N, HO, and O scale modelers, and to the best of my knowledge aluminum is not used for trackage with these.

Mobilman44

4

No, it just won’t oxidize as quickly. It depends on humidity and air quality.**

**

Yes, aluminum will be closer to the brass than stainless. Remember in the 1960’s they tried to wire houses with aluminum. It conducts electricity very well - it is just that oxidation / corrosion thing.**

In general electricity conducts best in silver (unfortunately there is no silver in nickel-silver) , then copper (hence the brass), then aluminum, then iron (steel). I don’t remember where nickel-silver fits. I am guessing between the aluminum and iron. I think gold is also right there after copper, but we all know how impractical that would be.

In G-scale (1:20.5 for me) I’ve stuck to brass. In fact, I tried other brands and always come back to LGB.

5

Thank you all very much!