Aging process of tin-plate track ?

I think it all depends on how the track is stored.  Having it in a high humidity location, exposed to air, dust, and dirt, all make a difference.  I have some tinplate track that looks like the day it came from the factory and I have some that looks terrible, and a lot that is in between.  

The last time we made rail the only tinplated steel we could buy was the bright finish.  Previously we had been using material that had uniform dull finish.  Functionally both are fine, but the bright finish probably makes any tarnish or stains more apparent.  I rather like the old fashioned dull finish, but many of our customers like the bright, especially if it is paired with bright nickel plated ties.

Kirk Lindvig, USA Track LLC

www.standardgaugetrack.com

That is very common for the track to turn gray after being stored for many years. When I go to peoples homes to buy there old trains 75% of the time the track is gray or rusted.

Thanks for the replies, all! 

Aside from any brown rust-spots, the graying is so uniform, I began to wonder if it had always been that way.

Is there any way to chemically brighten the tin w/o removing it ?   Mechanical means would tend to remove / strip the tin plating, I would think...

I don't think I'm going to waste my time on brown / pitted track...

Fran McM.

I hope my translation is understandable. There is a easy chemical way.

You need a tub, in a stainless steel sheet, on it to protect against short circuit a few plastic parts, then the track. Now fill up with caustic soda or baking soda and water.

Now you need  a DC power source, to the stainless steel sheet the positive pole and to the track the negative pole (in three-conductor track the middle rail also needs a connection)

You need only 3-5 V but much current. Today I use a old computer power source with 30 A.

Don´t do it indoors. There is a bit hydrogen in the process.

Cleaning needs only a few minutes.

Bing track before and after.

Marklin track, goes more to black after cleaning.

Arne

You can use a higher end battery charger to do the electrolysis tank cleaning like Arne is demonstrating.

I have one that has several amperage settings that I use when cleaning rusty metal objects.

Never have tried this cleaning method on tinplate track or shells ,but  have always pondered it.

The use of the stainless sheet is what I wasn't thinking about for tinplate I'm sure.  

I use the Armor Hammer caustic soda ,not  the baking soda.

Good tip Arne !