By Peter De Keles

Author  Bio There is an Ice Cream company that runs an ad "What would you do for a K......e Bar? This story, from the East Coast Large Scale Train Show, is titled "What would you do for a piece of track?"

There is an Ice Cream company that runs an ad "What would you do for a K......e Bar? This story, from the East Coast Large Scale Train Show, is titled "What would you do for a piece of track?"

As I was cleaning up our booth at the close of the show, an unnamed source from a distributor had 3 pieces of used 5 foot stainless steel track that they did not want to transport back home. This unnamed source offered it to me.

I told you in a previous article my family motto was "Goodius es Freeous". So I said yes, even though I didn't have a 5 foot long suitcase. My plan was to borrow something from St. Aubin or one of the clubs closing up and "just cut it". Matt at St. Aubin had a pair of pliers. We both laughed. I walked over to where the clubs were putting away their modules.

I went to some of the clubs and asked if they had anything that would cut the track. They wanted to help but the conversations went like this:

Peter - "Do you have anything that I can cut this with?"
Club - "Is that stainless steel track?"
Peter - "Yes"

And then the stare; the "Have you ever tried to cut Stainless Steel" stare. So I politely excused myself from this "Stainless ain't Brass" embarrassment and implemented Plan B.

Plan B was executed with the help of JoAnne. She drove me to Wal-Mart where I purchased a hand held hacksaw. It came with one blade. Normally, I would not buy any extra blades but since mine were 3,000 miles away, I sprung for the extra $3.49 for 3 extra blades. At the time I didn't realize how smart that was.

I returned to the confines of my workshop, room 216 at the Best Western. I proudly removed the hacksaw from the packaging and placed the track diagonally in the suitcase to determine where to make the cuts. Measuring twice and cutting once I began the process of cutting the three pieces in half.

After about ten minutes of sawing, I checked the track and saw that all of my effort had produced a small scratch across the top of the rail. I assumed that the blade was in upside down. No such luck. It was installed correctly and now I understood; "Stainless ain't Brass". Jon wanted to leave at 4am for the airport so I knew I had 8 hours to get this done.

I continued sawing and after 40 minutes I had a 5 foot section cut in two. Dumb luck was ready to take over as I decided to put a new blade in. The saw came with a 24T blade and when I bought the extra ones there was a grand selection of one package of blades. I opened the extra blades and found a 16T, a 24T blade and then the Holy Grail, 32T blade, fell at my feet. I wiped the tears of joy away from my eyes. Ever so gingerly, I placed the blade in the handle being ever so careful to not over tighten the nut and bolt holding the blade.

As I started to make the initial cuts, I realized that I would be able to get some sleep before 4am came around. I made short work of the remaining two pieces and placed them in my suitcase.

I believe that 32T blade saved me a visit from the York Police Department as the people on both sides of my room would have at some point dialed 911. Leaving me to explain what or who I was cutting up in my room.

I arrived home and with great anticipation, opened my suitcase to see my babies. They were there safe and sound. I will be packing my new hacksaw with 32T blades for the Big Train Show. I look forward to finding a good track deal and being able to do something about it. Bring a blade and use my handle. It's time to think outside the suitcase.

A few years ago, I would have passed on the offer of a couple of pieces of track. But prices being what they are, "What would you do for a piece of track?"

ss track

I love my aristo brass track! Yesterday my gand daughters were helping me spread landscape bark and snagged a loop of track with the wheel barrow's legs. No harm done, easily relocated back on the roadbed. I also love aristo's rail joiners, particularly the new Stainless steel ones with the new deeper socket screws. And when ever I need a special curve, easement or section, I can bend it, cut it and make new tapped screw holes very easily. My advice: don't buy SS track unless you have a real harsh climate or other need.

Mike Evans - 04/07/2010 - 07:58

SS track

I was a longhaul truck driver. Stopping one day when I had some time to kill I found in a little train shop a box that contained brand new a loop of stainless steel 6 1/2 X 12 feet. The marked price was less than I would normally pay for brass. So I bought it. I have found it to be very strong and tough track. Some might look down on mixing types of track. But I have had no problem from doing so, and with the price of track these days I need to save every penny possible. So I now run a mix of brass, stainless and aluminum. I have not had any problems and have saved a small fortune by picking up deals where they can be found.

Will Chaffin - 04/10/2010 - 07:25

way to go

Peter, good for you. That "can do" attitude has served me well over the years. Never let a small detail like it wont fit stop you. Having cut many stainless rails, and even grinding switch points out of stainless, I know how tough it is. So I can understand the effort it took to cut it to fit your suitcase. Mike, I don't understand your cynicism, but if that is how you feel. My whole railroad is stainless and I personally love the stuff. Will, I was an OTR driver many years ago. I never had much luck finding hobby shops in other towns. I understand being frugal, being as that I am cheep I understand grabbing deals when you find them.

David A. Maynard - 04/10/2010 - 17:21

Cuttin stainless steel track

Nice idea! I find my MAKITA die-grinder with a 4" cutting disk will slice through almost anything in seconds, but taking that to a big show (like Springfield "Big-E") could be problematic, to say the least. I like that the tool you found is both portable and inexpensive, thanks for the tip!

Pete Barrington - 09/15/2010 - 08:28

my idea

Pete, That track has come in handy. Glad I figured out how it get it in the bag.

Peter De Keles - 09/15/2010 - 08:52

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