Hi everyone,

I'm working on a bit of an experiment, and I'd like to use the older style Marklin catenary for it. I love the system, and it is much easier to have on a layout due to the pieces being able to click in an click out in case of accessing derailments etc...

Now my one big complaint is the chrome/stainless/??? bright wire coloration. What material is this? Stainless Steel?

What I'd like to do is use a solution like "blacken it" (which I understand is no longer available?) or "NeoLube" to darken the wire but retain conductivity. Are there any metallurgists out there who can advise on material, or a solution that might work?

Once I have an idea of what I'm working with, I'll post images of my test pieces for all to see

I used the product "Blacken It" years ago to blacken the nickel-plated pantographs of my 194 electric loc. I found it was difficult to control the end results - in some areas the nickel was nicely toned down, and in other areas the acid burned right through the plating. The end result was kind of a dark and flakey finish, not a uniform finish at all. Also, when you're done, you have to neutralize everything in a baking soda solution. If you have the 2003/2004 Märklin catalog handy, take a look on page 161 and 171: It looks like the catenary wire was dipped in the same product, with the same results! I don't like working with dangerous materials, and disposing of the waste is also a hassle - you can't just pour it down the drain.

I think you'd be much better off airbrushing the wire, or just let it be. My wire is so old, that the nickel is no longer super shiny anymore, and it looks ok to me. But maybe someone else here has been down this road and can give better advice.

I think you will find the catenary is stamped brass that is then nickel plated.

OK, if the base metal is a steel item, then the plating may be chrome, which would be a nice hard surface for the pantos to rub on. How much does the catenary wear with use?

The recently posted video of the Märklin manufacturing process shows the catenary wire coming out of the plating bath. It is at 4:05 into the video. The video was posted under this topic heading: Vintage Märklin promotional film from the 70's

Here's the link:

https://www.marklin-user...m-from-the-70-s--English

Thanks Cookee. Thats plan B to blackening as I don't have patience or budget for sommerfeldt. (at least not when there is a perfectly good alternative), and the old Marklin system offers the level or both modularity, reliability, and ease of access to any train wrecks that I really desire.

Might be a few months, but I'll keep everyone posted...

Hi, I painted mine, and then regretted it. I removed the paint as it just made it look bigger than it was? My personnel advice. Is to leave it as is. Then you can take it down and put it up as you want. It's good stuff and they should never stopped making it:-( cheers Dan

Thanks everyone, the systems robustness is what I need for my plan of attack as I am going for functional catenary on the project, yet I will need train wreck/maintenance access to it in strange places and that writes sommerfeldt off. (nevermind the installation and adjustment headaches)

Posting in the wanted section for the items I need, but this should be fun once I sort a way to blacken the wire.

Note the black catenary in the 1990 catalog, although it looks painted:

http://www.modelleisenba...lin/pdf/MA1990_EN_IT.pdf

Maybe you could experiment with permanent felt-tipped markers. I was in an art store and noticed a line of markers in various wood tones. The dark mahogany might look good on the wire. If you don't like the finish, you can easily remove it with isopropyl alcohol on cotton swab.

Just an idea since we're still in the "Research and Development" phase...