Fundamental question on track quality

[stonesfan]

Hi all

Have just opened my old boxes of track that have been stored for many years. Have set up a single straight section consisting of about 5m of combined Hornby long straights and peco Flexi sections. This with a view to test out my old engines with a view to move them up north with me. One thing is certain.....the older late 70s era 'silver' Hornby track is a damn site more stubborn to clean and runs poorly compared to the slightly gold looking mid 80s peco flexi sections.

Not sure at this stage how much I want to re use on a proposed new layout if track technology may have improved since then?

Also....like most of us who played as a kid and didn't know any better..some of the track was cleaned with 1200 ultra fine emery cloth. As were some of the wheels. Heard mixed reports on this. Some suggesting that it can ruin the running surface of both track and wheels permanently. Well...make it more prone to foul up apparently.

Maybe better off getting brand new track, or maybe all the old stuff including the old Hornby stuff can be resurrected.

Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers

[brian1951]

Bin the Steel. Clean the nickel silver with I.P.A.

[jed10]

I think Brian's answer sums it up well. When buying new track I urge you to buy Peco which is designed and manufactured in Devon. As a company they are a rare manufacturing success story for our country.

[brian1951]

Thanks Jed. The OP has read our replies shame he has not replied.

[stonesfan]

Thanks Jed. The OP has read our replies shame he has not replied.

Not sure it's a hanging offence to wait a few days to reply?(!) but yes thank for the advice here. It's very much appreciated. Guess I'll be ebaying a hell of a lot of 'silver' track and probably buying new Peco stuff. Don't want to be messing around or scrimping with the fundamentals.

Re IPA I was starting to look longingly at my beer collection but soon worked out what you actually meant.

[Walkingthedog]

You are supposed to sit in front of your PC/laptop/Tablet or phone H24 when you ask a question.


When you buy track on eBay just be careful it is nickel silver. Sometimes it doesn’t actually state it is. Check with the seller if in doubt.

[Stese]

if you don't fancy throwing the steel away, i suggest using it as decoration... pull the rails from the sleepers to use lineside, or keep intact and use it on disused sidings... 100's of re-uses for old track.

i agree with the others... its not worth using as live rail.

[Walkingthedog]

On my previous layout I had a siding and false set of points covered in weeds and rust.

[Steve M]

I have some covered in dust and cobwebs.......does that count?

[Stese]

depends if it's attached to your baseboards...