Hi, TinMan here… This sale is for what we call TinMan's favorite Generation II track. While only 4 pieces are shown the sale is for a 16 pieces O31 curves which will make up a circle. The idea for the TinMan grade of track came to me while looking at real railroad tracks that are frequently used. I noticed that the tops of the rails were brite and shiny steel probably due to the friction of the wheels running over the track. The sides and bottoms of the rails were black. Why??? Well the same reason our model train tracks get that way. In our efforts (same as the Big Boys trains) to keep our trains running smoothly we make sure all parts, bearings contact points etc, are properly lubricated with either oil, grease or some kind of snake oil. What is the result? it drips down on the track, eventually running down the sides of the track and wala, we have stained track. That issue plus the problem that the sides, and ties, of our tracks, seem like they are the first places to rust, gave me the inspiration for "TinMan's favorite. WE have now discovered some new methods of cleaning and polishing the tracks, while very time-consuming results in a really nice track.
We do our normal
reconditioning, ie checking pins, tube and tie tightness, polishing the
tops etc, and then we assemble the tracks in long lengths and paint them with
just normal Rustoleum rust preventive flat black enamel. After painting both the tops and bottoms, we then remove the
paint from the very tops of the 3 rails and the inside of the outer tubes, where
the wheels normally make contact. We then remove all the old style pins and
replace them with our new Stainless
Steel pins. Why? because we discovered cases where the old style steel pins
were rusting inside the rails! Not acceptable.
This summer
we have invested in some top quality metal polishing equipment, that is
designed to enhance the not only the appearance but also the
smoothness of the rails. The differences this new equipment
makes is really remarkable. This new equipment gives our tracks
a final once over polishing with special attention to not only the
tops, but the insides of the outside rails. This is a brand new process,
this year which really smooths the tops out to absolute like new condition. So
we now call it we 'TinMan's favorite, Gen II. Which not only looks cool,
but with a very minimum of care (directions included with track as to how to
store) will be ready for your great great grandchildren to
run trains on. Think of it, your great-great grandchildren could very easily be
using these tracks, to show their kids what it was like when wheels actually
went round and round on steel rails to make a train go! As a service to our
customers unless you tell us not to do, we will solder a pair of wires for
power taps on 1 out of every 10 pieces of track free of charge. This is pretty
important, because the painting makes the normal "lock-on" not work
very well. We then seal the solder joint to again stop any possibility
of corrosion as a result of the soldering. So our
original idea was to make our tracks work like new. Now with all the
advancements, and the Stainless Steel pins, we can honestly say that our tracks
are frankly not as good as new, they are better than new! Not bad for a bunch
of "retired old f____s" huh?
We are getting more and
more efficient with this process so we are able to keep the cost of these
tracks quite reasonable. Recently the addition of a lot more labor going into
the reconditioning process has indeed finally forced us into raising our prices
slightly. Is it really worth all this effort? Well you have told us countless
times yes it is worth it. Even if we are out of pace with the throw away
society, we are really proud of what we do.
Thanks for watching and
remember:
People don't grow old playing with trains, they
grow old when they stop playing with trains!