nickel-silver rail

From an article in Model Railroader:

The composition of metals in the tracks that we use has "0" silver. The tracks are made of Copper, Nickel, and Zinc. It is Zinc that gives the tracks the "silver " appearance, hence the name Nickel-Silver. Although there can be several different percentages of the alloy mix, the most common is 65-18, or NS106. This means....65% copper, 18% nickel, and 17% zinc.  The oxide that forms on this alloy IS CONDUCTIVE. However, it has a higher resistance to electrical current than "clean" surface, hence, keep your tracks clean.  

Another interesting 'German Silver' is ATSM B149 (Cu 76.5; Ni 12.5; Pb 9.0; Sn 2.0).  This has tin and lead rather than zinc ad is better classified a bronze vs the brass version above.  If you increase the nickel to 18%, called HiNi, you get very good corrosion resistance.

Another alloy commonly used for rail is Ledaloy 300 or AISI 12L14 (C 0.12;  Mn 1;  Ni 0.003;  P 0.07;  Pb 0.15-0.35;  S 0.3;  Bal Fe) which adds lead to common 1018 steel. if you add a minute amount of tellurim you get Ledaloy 375 (C 0.09;  Mn 1;  P 0.04-0.09;  Pb 0.15-0.35;  S 0.26-0.35;  Te 0.03;  Bal Fe) which is very very machinable.  If you add nickel and tin to that you get Ledaloy AX (C 0.08;  Mn 1.07;  Ni 0.003;  P 0.075;  Pb 0.21;  S 0.32;  Si 0.02;  Te 0.048; Bal Fe) which I think would make great rail.

Tom;

If ya need help getting rail contact me.  I may have some info for you.

TCC:}

Tom;

If ya need help getting rail contact me.  I may have some info for you.

TCC:}

Hi TCC,

Thanks, however it's not some rail I need, but rather a source... 20,000ft annually to start.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine 

Tom, a material science lab will do an analysis of a sample for $50 to $70 per sample and tell exactly what it is.  Most will also match the sample to an industry standard, if one applies.