Recently, I acquired a Lionel 9440 boxcar from 1981. I had been looking for this boxcar for a few years, but I couldn't get a hold on one for a reasonable price. Since, Greenberg estimates its value in between 45-60 US$ in good - excellent condition it is no wonder.
Anyway, I finally got lucky a few weeks ago. The trucks were, however, not black but more off-white. Initially, I was afraid to have purchased a boxcar with trucks that are falling apart due to zinc pest. Fortunately, I mild brush with the dremel brass brush quickly removes the white dusty coating and leaves a beautiful black truck. So, it is just a matter of cleaning time and I will have a nice Reading boxcar, ready to run with my steamer.
So, I reacon that is some kind of corrosion. Additionally the axles have a light rust orange color, which make the corrosion a bit more likely.
