08-04-2010, 01:43 PM
Quote:I can't belive I got all this for $73.00
I can, and I bet I'm not the only one. Some of the track you purchased looks to be steel rail. After having spent a great deal of time experimenting with steel rail to see how I could keep it clean, I gave up. You may have better luck.
Same goes for the brass track. It will clean better and stay shiny longer than the steel, but not by much, It was the standard for years and many folks still swear by it's ability to provide better grip for loco wheels, but nickel silver has become the new standard for good reasons.
I'd say have fun with it and if you enjoy it, then awesome. Personally, I'd strip it down and salvage what NS track there is then use the rest for scenic purposes (or round file it). The turntable can be a nice starting point for a kitbash project, and the bridge looks to be usable as well.
As for the turnout question, you may need to solder jumpers from the point rails to the stock rails. Clean and tin each surface first so that the time you actually keep the soldering iron on the rail is minimal. Melting ties on straight or curved track is easier to repair than warped turnout ties. You can't always rely on a mechanical connection to make good electrical contact. Solder is hard to beat.
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!