I acquired a small old Lionel layout with O guage Lionel track. The track is in very nice condition and a gray color. Trying to determine its age. Anyone have a rough idea? TIA.
Bob
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1001/4368153/24775403/413422193.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1001/4368153/24775403/413422192.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1001/4368153/24775403/413422191.jpg
1945-1969. Probably.
Rob
If the track is actually gray, rather than merely tarnished, it may be Korean War production. For that very short period, Lionel plated their track with zinc rather than tin. My own original set from 1952 had this type of gray track that (over the years) developed a powdery surface.
Lionel NY is pre-1970.
The dark grey is typical of track pre 1960.
If I had to guess, early to mid 1950s.
That being said does it really matter?
If it's the Korean war era stuff that artyoung mentioned, there are folks who look for it. I don't think they pay a significant premium.
My first train set was a Texas Special freight that was sold in 1958. That set had bright shiney finish on the track.
I'll guess that the gray track was made before then.
It doesn't matter. I'm just trying to educate myself on O track. Had O27 since getting back into trains and wondered why and when the O track was made gray.
That's what I was used to seeing; bright shiney track. I like the zinc gray.
I Have found that a lot of track that is grey started out shiny. If you turn the track over, as I can see in one of the picures, you will see evedence it was once shiny and turned dull over the years. Here is a simple test. Take steel wool or a scotch pad and rub a section of the underside of the track. If it turns shiny you'll have your answer.
Will try that and post the results.
I took some 0000 steelwool to the bottom of the track and it is shiney underneath. If it was zinc plated, would it also come off?
Track from the 1950s came shiny from the store and dulled over time. As you can see it's a lot of work to restore the shine, a waste of time IMHO. I only shine up the track if I need to solder power feeders on.
In reality, dull and rusty track actually looks more realistic. The only place to shine a bit is the very top of the rails to improve conductivity. But I've never really noticed any connection problems with dull track.
As long as you dont hook up some super duper power sander I don't think you can rub hard enough to remove the Zink.
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