Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Rustproof Track Finish

From a 1935 issue of The Model Railway Constructor:

Well clean the steel track and then smear it over with the following mixture.
Melt into one pound of lard half an ounce of powdered camphor, adding sufficient powdered black lead to give it a dark colour.
After rubbing this mixture on the rail, allow it to remain untouched for 24 hours; then wipe off the excess of grease with a cloth.
This treatment does not interfere with electric traction requirements.

Thank goodness for nickel silver track is all I can say ! I doubt you would be able to get half the ingredients for this little recipe today (powdered black lead ?!) even if you did fancy spending time boiling it all up in the kitchen.

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