Hi Everyone,
I'm getting to the point where I am going to start buying track for my layout. I have been doing a hours of research here and there. I'm still am not set on a brand. I need opinion on using either Atlas O Nickel Silver or Stainless Steel GarGrave track for best rust resistant track. I have been reaching online with different websites and using the search on this forum for old threads for the past few hours. I'm still unclear on a few minor details on each. Essentially I know those two are the best for outside(which isn't my situation). I know there were many threads similar to this one, but I'm not confident in what I read.
I had brand new tubular track and a switch rust and corrode inside my home with about a month straight worth of time on a certain section of the layout near the door. It could of been cause I cleaned them once a week with a magic eraser with rubbing alcohol and a flatbed with 2lbs of weights, or from the environment or both or cause I purchased the switch new but it had tarnished over the years with the original owner.
First I want to point out I'm looking for information from people who live in wet/humid environments. The research I found about the tracks are from people who live in high heat/outdoor/huge temp variations which is not me. I do live in Hawaii and I live on the wet side of the island, and normal trade winds run through my neighborhood. It's about 70-85 degrees year around with high humidity and heavy rain in the winter. The room the trains will be ran has no open windows and the only time outside air will enter is when the main door is opened from the outside on the East. (Ocean salt air blows in from the north here).
I do like the popularity of GarGrave having a stainless steel options and I also like how Atlas O has more options with switch choices(Don't want to do Ross Custom).
My understanding is SS GarGrave Track is hollow and since the swings of temperatures are not large here, I don't think dew or stuff like that will form. My question are is Atlas O Silver Nickel solid core or just plated? My second questions is anyone experience rust with either type of track, and if it was rust, was it easy to remove or maintain from rusting?
Thanks in advance. I want to make a confident decision before I commit and buy. If more information is needed let me know.
