Reply to "question involving pre war loco and cleaning track"

Patrick,

Many times some folk paint the sides of tube track to hide surface rust. If you want to remove the paint, use lots of, "elbow grease". You can use a green pad like you use to clean your track. I would suggest to leave it.

For your red lantern, I would let the folks on the Tinplate Forum know. Lastly, if that doesn't work place a listing in the WTB Forum explaining your need and that you're not able to buy one. I already checked my parts drawer for a lantern, however, that space was empty.