painting Lionel track

[Anonymous]

I'd like to paint the sides of the rails of my Lionel O-31 tubular track to make it look more "authentic". I have seen articles describing the use of a "rust" color for the outer rails and flat black for the inner rail. Does anyone have any experience with this, and if so, what specific brand and color of paint was used? Thanks.

[nitroboy]

I spray painted my Lionel track completely brown primer. Then I tape off the outside rails with masking tape. If you use the skinny stuff, one piece will cover both sides. Then I spray the ties and inside rail flat black. Home Depot sell cans of flat black for $0.99, so its cheap. Then I use my wire wheel and clean off the tops of the track.

[brianel027]

Years ago when I was selling trains, I set myself a challenge: to build a portable layout as cheaply as possible. Part of this was going to be a marketing technique to also show folks that it could and can be done on a shoestring budget.

I had several boxes of old Lionel and Marx 027 track, switches, etc. The track was already pretty beat. And I did pretty much Dave did above. I spray painted the track using a mixture of flat rust, black and gray spray paint... take a look at real train track near a classification yard and you'll see all varieties of color on the rails. I didn't worry too much about the metal ties in this process, as I knew I could always do a little touch up latter if need be. I tried to do the "tape method" as Dave described, but decided to by pass that step. I sprayed the track, then sanded the tops of the rails along with the inside of the rail on the 2 outer rails.

I've read where you can put a coat of oil on the tops of the rails before you spray paint, so that the paint will not stick to the rails - - and you can wipe the tops of the rails clean with an old rag when you are done. I haven't tried that idea though.

I will note this was a portable layout that was kept in a non-damp or musty environment, so I didn't worry much about sanding off coating on the track. And I never had any problem with the track actually rusting. It was all older track though too, and probably made a little better originally. Adding ties to the road bed and ballasting also improved the look greatly.

Though I imagine Teamlo what you want to do, is not to paint the track entirely, but to just do the sides of the rails with a brush. I would think most oil or acrylic paints would work provided your track is clean so that the paint will adhere. It will take longer to paint the track by brush painting the rails, but you can get more accurate with detail painting. Like in yard areas, the rails may be more rustly or oilly (black colored). Track where engines would be serviced you could use a little more black paint in your mix. Just as wood ties in those areas tend to be very oily.

Layouts I've seen where this is done, they don't really "cover" the rail with paint. The rust color appears to be brushed on where you can still detect a little silver color coming through. Still effective though.

[SPFan]

There are various formulas for matching rusted rails but the easiest solution is to get some Floquil Rail Brown. They make a Rust color but it doesn't match any weathered rail I have seen. It is good for adding a few streaks depending how far you want to go. I would brush it on with a broad brush, then wait about 30 minutes for it to set and wipe off the tops with lacquer thinner. I take a 1 x 2 board and wrap it tighty with a cotton cloth. Apply some of the lacquer thinner to the cloth and run over the top of the rails until it comes away clean.

Pete