Weathering Track, Colours/Paint To Use. - Model Railroader Magazine
HObbyguy
I just began painting rails a few weeks ago, following Wayne's lead using a fine brush and acrylic paint......
The brush which I use is a fairly stiff one, and certainly not fine. It's probably 1/4" wide, and chisel-tipped. The stiff bristles allow the user to easily work the paint around the moulded-on spike heads, while the shape allows fairly good control with paint placement, although there's really no need to be fussy, as on the prototype, the rust and dirt runs off the rails and onto the ties, tie plates, and ballast. The larger brush also holds more paint, so there's less time wasted re-filling the brush.
I usually paint 12' or 15' of track at a time, then, with a rag stretched over my fingertips, wipe the railtops clean. The paint, while already dry, isn't yet hardened, and comes off easily. Brush painting has several advantages, among them the ability to easily do whatever you're able to accomplish in the time available (even five minutes), with a very quick clean-up - rinse the brush and cap the bottle. I might do 50'or 60' of track at a time, or one turnout, and another time perhaps 5 or 10 turnouts. There's no overspray (anything which doesn't land where intended is usually dry once it lands, and that becomes dust, to be "enjoyed" for years to come), and no worry about getting paint on lineside scenery or structures, and no masking required. Turnouts take a little longer than plain track, of course, but there's nothing at all complicated about doing them. I'd guess, too, that brush-painting the back sides of the rails is a lot easier than spraying, as you can usually see what you're doing without worry about being in range of the spray pattern.
I have about 200' of main line in-service, not counting passing- or double-track, nor, of course, industrial tracks. Painting it didn't take all that long - I didn't keep track of the time because I found it to be a very relaxing task, and it's certainly one which gives enormous "bang-for-your-buck" - the only other model railroading activity which comes close, in my opinion, is ballasting.
wp8thsub
One major reason I paint the ties is to eliminate plastic sheen, which may not disappear after ballast glue dries. Also, even well used track on class ones can have a good deal of color variation.....
You're certainly correct, Rob, and your track looks great. However, I ballasted after the rails were painted, and didn't have an issue with shiny ties. While I don't have the rusty run-off on the ballast, it is on the tieplates and the portions of the ties near the rail and I'm satisfied with the appearance. As I mentioned, once the trains are running, the track becomes less noticeable, and adding scenery and structures only furthers that effect. Your blending of scenery to the backdrop, by the way, is very nicely done.
When I build the second level of the layout, I'm thinking of using the Central Valley tie strips, and may experiment with colouring the ties, especially on sidings.
Wayne
