[mysonismylove]

I have a layout ho scale, platform in 5x16x14x5x8x11 l shaped , I have brass tracks mostly straights(new) ebay and curves from childhood, all other tracks are atlas N/S, all code 100 well over 360 pc total. My brass straight tracks 9inch are all brand new, I want to make sure I have good connections on the other tracks and plan on using many feeders. I noticed on the atlas tracks the rail joiners are missing or all different, some look solid steel, some look brass with a split in the middle etc etc, my question is if I buy all new code 100 nickel silver rail joiners and even replace the brass track joiners as well, is it OK to mix brass track joined to nickel silver track with all connections being made with nickle silver joiners?

 

[tankist]

welcome

in your situation its not mixed joiners that would worry me (i don't think brass+NS creates stron galvanic pair) , its the fact you do use some brass track...

but despite the anoyances and strange color, it can be worked with if your layout is of smaller size.

i would still pay bit more but go all NS

just my 0.02$

 

[tkruger]

Go with the NS as much as possible. When I built mine for any track that I bought new I used NS. Unfortunately I could not build the layout I wanted in the budget I had. To do this I bought a bulk lot of brass switches on EBay. Saved allot to start with. Problem is that the brass corroded. Some locos had issues with this. I have to clean the brass where as the NS stays clean with constant use. I have been gradually replacing the brass with NS as I can afford to. Good thing is that the switch machines that came with the brass work with the new NS ones. Never get steel track, that corrodes faster than brass.

 

[Reckers]

I held off on delving into this because I have nothing to back it up, but I guess it's time to make a fool of myself. Again. *L* Has anyone ever heard of using dielectric unions, in plumbing? They are fittings that insulate dissimilar metals from electrolysis. The idea is that the natural flow of electricity through your plumbing pipes (grounds, magnetic fields, etc.) find ideal conditions at your water heater. It would seem to me that the current in mixed-metal track, along with the humidity in the air, would likely have the same effect over time. Symptoms are corrosion and pitting---sound familiar, to anyone?

 

[mysonismylove]

Thanks for all the advice and pointers. If my budget changes I will eventually go to all n/s, however in simpler terms answer me this if possible, if mixing brass with n/s tracks seems ok do you think I;ll have better connectivity by using all n/s joiners?, all of my turnouts are n/s #4's by the way, i had trouble with brass ones so i use them in yard for manual throws

 

[Reckers]

Yes on the nickel silver joiners. For both conductivity and resistance to corrosion, they're the best choice.

 

[mysonismylove]

Ok great that is what I needed to know. Merry Christmas to all..