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I recently acquired this Marx tank car. The metal scissors coupler dates it to 1941-1953. The curious thing about the finish is that the cylindrical metal body of the tank has a yellow-tinted tarnished look, but the metal end caps are a brighter silver color. The car appears original with no indication that is has been disassembled and parts replaced.

At first glance I thought this car had nicotine stain, but if that was the case the end caps would have the same tint as the rest of the tank. I'm supposing that the parts were made in different batches and somehow the finishes aged differently. Can anyone else explain it better?

The yellow tint does not come off with a damp sponge. I figure I'll just leave it this way, pass it off as weathering, because attempting to clean it might mess it up.

100_4615

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Last edited by Ace
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i have seen this before and i've got to believe it's an example of how differently lithographed surfaces (the tank sides) and painted surfaces (everything else) age, possibly even being linked to excessive UV exposure.

here is a the prewar version that shows no discoloration, so i don't believe it's strictly an age related problem...

scale tank car - NIAX 256 prewar - 01

frankly i like some of the duller finishes in the Marx 3/16" scale line.

nice find.
cheers...gary

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Last edited by overlandflyer

a tough car to get a good picture, what you're seeing is mostly the reflection of the background in the lower half of the tank sides...

NIAX 256 prewar - detail
it's definitely not a perfect match for the silver painted ends and perhaps a factor in why the postwar versions changed to a black dome and frame only leaving the ends to lessen this distraction.

one of the more prominent Marx sets typically found with a similar overcoat discoloration was the NYC articulated streamliner.  headed up by a grey painted Merc, the lithographed cars can be found anywhere between a very closely matched grey to the extreme end of the discoloration scale, closer to an olive drab tint.  a very touch set to match if you're trying to put one together from individual car purchases.

cheers...gary

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