700E Gold Hudson

[Anonymous]

One of our viewers asked this question of the staff at Trains.com. We followed up with Lionel and they have answered. Read on.
- Jim Schulz, Associate Editor, Trains.com

Q: Will the 700E Gold Hudson tarnish over time?

Lionel answers:

A: The 700E Gold Hudson Engine and Tender have been plated with 24K purity gold plate. While the gold plating will not tarnish, it may have a tendency to darken slightly over time, depending on how the engine is stored. Oxidation from fingerprints will also have a tendency to slightly darken the gold plating. Included with each Gold Hudson is a jewelers cloth which will remove any slight darkening and oxidation and will restore the gold plating fini***o its original luster. A pair of cotton gloves is also included with each Gold Hudson and should always be worn when handling your Hudson to prevent fingerprints.

[rtraincollector]

And this was the news over 10 years ago about the 700E Gold Hudson.

Now I wonder if anyone here has one and has it darken over time or tarnished.

[servoguy]

Gold will tarnish unless it is a very thick plating and plated in such a way that it is not porous.  The gold actually doesn't tarnish, but the base metal under the gold tarnishes and the oxide bleeds through the gold. 

Bruce Baker