Plain steel code 70 HO rails

[doctorwayne]

I've seen the "yellow-rail" condition with Atlas code 83 nickel silver, as shown here:


However, the only time I've seen it is after ballasting track or installing scenic ground cover in close proximity to the tracks. I use an initial spray of "wet" water (plain tap water with a drop or two of dish detergent added) and dilute white glue, applied with a dropper bottle. At some point after the glue has been applied, the rails take on a distinct yellowish cast. It cleans off easily with a mildly abrasive cleaning block, but re-appears within minutes if the glue mixture has not dried completely. Even cleaning the following day, when the glue isn't fully hardened, the yellow will re-appear, and will continue to do so, sometimes for several days.
Once the glue is fully dried, cleaning is permanent and no further yellowing occurs unless the area is re-wet:


Perhaps a dumb question, Pete, but are you a smoker?

Wayne