| Restocking Fee | No |
|---|---|
| Return shipping will be paid by | Buyer |
| All returns accepted | Returns Accepted |
| Item must be returned within | 30 Days |
| Refund will be given as | Money Back |
| Type | Track |
| MPN | 1804 |
| Gauge | O |
| Brand | Handmade |
Check the listing for details. Lionel O gauge 10" tracks our TinMan II top quality tracks. Condition: Used. Listed at 19.95 USD. Hi, TinMan here… This sale is for what we call TinMan's favorite Generation II track. While only 2 pieces of track are shown, this sale is for 10 or 30 pieces of track. Included in this sale, to help increase power connect, we will wire one track for each 10 pieces ordered. Way better than lockon's especially for TinMan tracks.The idea for this TinMan grade of track came to us while looking at real railroad tracks that are frequently used. We noticed that the tops of the rails were brite and shiny steel, probably due to the friction of the wheels running over the track, while the sides and bottoms of the rails were black. Why??? Well, for 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? These oils drip 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 to be the first places that 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, the results are really nice pieces of track. We do our normal reconditioning, ie checking pins, tube and tie tightness, polishing the tops etc, 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 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. You will notice the lack of groves in our pins. How come? The original Lionel pins when installed at the factory, had a machine that pinched the tubes exactly where those groves were. We do not have that kind of equipment (nor does anyone else). So our theory, why waste contact area of the pins with groves that would do nothing. We also made these pins slightly longer so when installed with our pin installation jig, the pins would go into virgin areas of the tube that never had a pin. We have also invested in some top quality metal polishing equipment, that is designed to enhance not only the appearance of the track, 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 of the rails, but the insides of the outside rails as well. This process really smooths the tops out to absolute like new condition. So we now call it '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 we 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 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! There just is no substitute for these top quality tracks that were made many years ago. In todays economy, it just is not feasible to make this kind of quality tracks. This is another example of so many things that were built to last for generations. Pretty unusual today.We are getting more and more efficient with this process, which is why 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 that 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.Like all our tinman items, shipping is free. No tax, and no handling chargesJust a point of interest for you. We manufacture our own special tools, that work way more better than anything else out there, that may be helpful for you. For example,Track tool kit (eBay listing no: 284376116928)Track pin removal kit (eBay listing no:275025302084) Our own stainless-steel pins (eBay listing no: 284313828242)Thanks for checking us out and remember: People don't grow old playing with trains, they grow old when they stop playing with trains!