Is there really a big differance in the two types of tracks I inherited?
I have a large lot of Life like and a large lot of tyco, both are silver in color (not brass) should I be useing one over the other?
I really can’t see a differance and is it ok to mix them on a layout?
As always any help will be GREATLY appreciated…Thanks!
To be honest, you shouldnt use either. They are both poor choices for track. They will not give you good performance.
Your best bet is to purchase some new Atlas or Bachmann EZ track.
David B
The Tyco track will be steel. OK for the big railroads, not good for model railroads. [V] Steel rusts, and it’s electrical properties aren’t the best to begin with!
It might be OK for a dead end stub track, or something that would not have motive power running on it, ie, just for rolling stock only. Also good for abandoned track in a scene. But I wouldn’t use steel for tracks I run on.
The Life-Like…I don’t know for sure off-hand, but the newer track may have been nickle/silver. For sure the old LL is steel. Same deal as the Tyco track.
Rotor
Put a magnet to it. If the magnet is attracted to the tracks, they are made of steel. Don’t use steel track.
If the magnet is not attracted to the track, it is nickle-silver. It is good to use, no matter the maker. Of course, when you get more into model trains, you might want to use a name brand exclusively for your track.
Blaine
Well I got to do the magnet test today and all the tracks are steel, looks like I’ve got more investing to do, I will save the steel track and use them on the shelves that I’m building to store my rolling stock and Locomotives this way they will not roll off the shelves and I like the suggestion to use them as defunct tracks on my layout, I’ll let them rust a bit outside before adding them to the overgrown fields and alley ways, thanks for the tips.
I’m loving this new hobby (new to me anyway) and I’m never bored anymore when I have a day off, if I’m not scratch building (well practicing it anyway) I’m detailing my rolling stock , adding weights to light cars or drawing up plans when I’m not actually building my layout.
I was at the local store today when I saw the owner throwing out some tiny siding that was once a doll house and I asked if he was going to trash the 6 or 7 panels 24"X24" and he said yes, I asked if he wouldn’t mind if I took the materials off his hands and he said sure so I loaded the sheets into the trunk and brought them home where I began fabricating a Locomotive maintenance building out of the stuff, it looks really cool and the building has two big windows on both sides so that I can view the locomotives when they are inside, with a small light inside it will be a nice addition to my layout.
Well, that is my “Free find” for the week now I’m off to bed to dream about that massive layout that I shall build when I retire.
Happy Rails.
Jess Red Horse.