I was polishing the brass from a train, and when I went to polish the brass lamp sockets, the brass wore off and silver metal was visible. Does that mean that it is a reproduction? I thought that Lionel brass trim and parts were solid brass.
Not sure what engine or era we are talking about here. If this is prewar tin plate the stamped trim parts were brass. If it is a cast headlight, I think they were die cast zinc and painted gold or brass.