I know that Rail-Craft sold steel rail, and I'm told that they're still around, but I can't seem to find them online. If anyone knows where they are. do tell here. Thanks.
Ed Kenny Modeling the DL&W in S scale circa 9/29/54 --- In [email protected], Stan Maddox <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > This entire thread has been very interesting and educational, kudos > to all who have written. I have never considered that steel would be > an option in either HO or S. I just always assumed that nickel silver > rail was the only thing available (I don't consider brass rail a > viable alternative). You know what they say, assumption is the mother > of all screw-ups. > > 1. Who sells steel rail, and is it available in the common sizes? > 2. How does the cost of steel rail compare to nickel silver? > 3. Are there any corrosion issues where steel and nickel silver touch? > 4. Are there any soldering issues when using steel rail? > 5. Are stainless steel drivers commercially available? > 6. Are stainless steel wheels commercially available for retrofitting > diesel engines? > 7. Has anyone tried stainless steel rail and drivers working > together, and if so, can the engine pull tree stumps? > > Best regards, > Stan Maddox > www.burlingtongulf.com > > > On Oct 2, 2008, at 1:43 PM, Ed Kozlowsky wrote: > > > Steel rail is VERY popular in O scale. Even with clipper oil the > > adhesion is outstanding. > > > > Ed Kozlowsky > > Sanford, Maine > > > > --- On Thu, 10/2/08, ed_loizeaux <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > From: ed_loizeaux <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Stainless Steel Drivers/Wheels > > To: [email protected] > > Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 1:39 PM > > > > > there's no need to worry about rust with Stainless Steel. > > > Ed Kozlowsky > > > > Logic would lead one to believe rust will be a problem when using > > steel. As Dr. Spock would say: "That DOES compute!" However, > > anecdotal reports from those using steel for both rails and wheels is > > counterintuitive. > > > > One example is a large -- no HUGE -- HO layout in a former bowling > > alley in Pasadena, CA which used steel rail throughout. No problems > > with rust were noted. Proof of better adhesion was on one passing > > siding going up a grade. The passing siding was nickel-silver while > > the mainline was steel. The same train went up the grade on the > > mainline, circled the layout, and then attempted to go up the same > > grade on the passing siding. Wheels slipped and the train stalled. > > Same train, same grade, same loco, same everything except for the > > rail's material. > > > > Locally, the HO and O folks using steel rail report no rust problems > > at all. Of course, we are speaking of dry environments out here > > because in California there are few basements. So water seepage is > > not an issue and the climate is near desertlike in most areas. Snow > > is rare in most all of this state. High humidity is non-existent. > > Thank goodness for the water canals and pipelines that bring the > > precious fluid into our homes. Rust does not seem to be a problem > > for anyone out here. > > > > Since nobody is a metallurgist, nobody can 'splain exactly why rust > > is not an issue. Best guess seems to be that constant use and > > perhaps a thin coating of track cleaning fluid (sometimes Wahl > > Clipper oil) keeps the rust from developing on operating layouts. > > Long term storage, as mentioned, is another situation entirely. > > However, the primary purveyor of steel rail has lots of the stuff > > (rail, not rust) in his inventory for years on end and has reported > > no problems with rust. Go figure.....? ? > > > > One thing is for sure, the folks that actually use steel rail and/or > > steel wheels love the stuff. Those who have never tried it have the > > disadvantage of not being familiar with it. Those who like to look > > at models on a shelf will not care one way or another. Those who run > > short trains (under 25 cars) only occasionally on a flat (no grades) > > layout will not see much of a difference and will wonder what all the > > fuss is about. Those who have grades, run long trains, run for hours > > on end, etc., will speak to their satisfaction with steel. > > > > Just adding some fuel to the fire. > > > > Cheers...... Fireman Ed L. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
