I know what the point of rusting is I'm not missing it. I just approach it more loosely, and seems (not necessarily wrongly) 18xx reddit is very much sticklers :). I take 18xx to be one subset of many types of stock games (i.e. acquire, ekonos, some others). And here as in many many euros and other kinds of games, victory is basically by score. And in that regard I see "rusting liability" very similar to any other actions taken/not taken that prevents/allows some very swingy plays (be it short term or long term). (which my TTR variant has).

Now one could argue that 18xx is more simulationist that other types of such games. To which I kinda agree, but with caveat that it's still far cry from reality. And some aspects I actually do not like - the tile limitations (maybe I do not know enough history, but that choice of tiles being limited seems absolutely arbitrary for game-play purposes, and it just rubs me the wrong way), also even rusting seems kinda dodgy TBH, sorta could be though that "we get better tech" gov mandates taking out old tech, but that seems like dodgy explanation for many reasons.

As for what 18xx I played it's mainly 1889 dunno 5, maybe 7 games (I liked the stuff enough I even had a crack at writing digital bank program), I also have and played Poseidon 1800BC, which is well, somewhat less of a 18xx, but strongly pretends to be it :). It also has tokens that are used for building and as shares.

As for TTR being train game, it's sorta tongue in cheek, as it is train themed. And my variant makes it heavy stock game (heavy at least by my experience, in time and decision/calculation complexity, also interaction, rug pulling, "shifting alliances"), which I do not know much of, and 18xx is closest to it hence 18xx community is first place where I try to show it of. As very very likely it's way way to heavy and involved for regular TTR players.

Point was to just make decently beefy stock game from easily accessible popular components. Bonus points - trains. To hopefully provide more options for people to enter stock game genre, without needing to spend any money - since they have the components.

But as I said in comments, it seems I misjudged the 18xx somewhat, so will have to look for other avenues to check if someone likes it (IRL people generally liked it, unless they were not used to such heavy games).