weathering track

[rrlcommish]

I used a combination of Floquil Rail Brown (tie sides and rail sides) and Grimy Black (center of track to simulate oil and grease from engines and rolling stock) out of a spray can.  This looked very nice, although one of these days I will go back and add some rust by hand to the sides of the rails.  The most difficult thing I had was keeping the paint off the tops of the rails.  I saw a tip to rub oil on the tops of the rails but this trick did not work well for me for some reason and it made a big mess trying to wipe it off while not touching my newly painted rails and ties.  I ended up buffing the tops of the rails to get it off.

[Don Z]

I used Pollyscale "Rust" on the rails and a mixture of "Railroad Tie Brown" and "Grimy Black" on the ties.

Don Z.

[wjstix]

It's always best to check out the railroad and region you're modelling, either in person or by pics or videos. Some areas seem to have rusty rails, some are gray, some are kinda brown - plus keep in mind mainlines won't weather the same as a little used spur track or siding.

[Tom Bryant_MR]

I agree with mobileman and selector in this case.  There is no one way to do this. 

I started with Railroad Tie brown for all the track and ties.  Don Z wanted to paint his rails rust and the ties a different color.  When I saw the rust I immediately liked it.

I tried Polyscale Rust thinned down for the rails ... result, okay in my opinion, but did not have the eye catch I was looking for when it was dry - probably because the rails were already painted RR tie brown. Then I decided to mix my own rust using those cheap acrylic craft paints (you know from where) and airbrushed all the track again ... result, mucho better in my opinion.

I've also tried Joe Fugate's method for weathering down the center of the track using Tempura paints (these are dry powders) sparingly mixed with plaster of paris (yep ... POP).  This also has an excellent affect and I use it in places.

Last, after painting all of the rails with rust via an airbrush, I decided to try those cheap acrylic paints again, a couple of different grays and some black very thinned out and using a brush to fit just between the rails, randomly painted down the ties ... this also has a nice affect. Using a smaller flat tip brush, I touched up the ties on the sides.

So, bottom line. Experiment a little to see which affect you like. The trick, again in my opinion, is variety.

Regards,

[mobilman44]

Hi,

I doubt there is a "wrong" answer to this question..........

I have successfully used Model Masters Rust & Flat Black paints with an open bottle of thinner.  Using a proper size brush, I dip from the thinner to the Rust and paint the sides, and occasionally touch the black to the tip of the brush. I follow up with a rag wipe of the rail tops and the result is very acceptable. 

But to me, that's only half the job, for the ties need weathering too!  So using a soft wide flat brush, I hit the thinner and a combo of rust & black and swipe the brush lightly along the ties - both between and on the outside of the rails.  Again, the result is very acceptable.

One thing I will do on my next layout, and that is to paint the rails/ties BEFORE I lay them.  This would be a nice mass production project and would certainly save time and be less of a mess in the long run.

ENJOY,

Mobilman44

[skerber]

I was recommended by a hobbiest to try Testor's Track Colors markers.  They are paint markers, containing the colors Rail Brown, Rail Tie Brown, and Rust.  I have tried it out on my layout and found out they work fairly well.  The Rail Brown needs a second coat in areas where I guess I didn't allow the paint to come off the marker well.  It is real easy to use.  I paid $5.95 for them.

[Anonymous]

I can strongly recommend the rusty rails painter and accompanying paint from Joe's Model trains. Here is a photo of the gadget:

The color comes out looking just right.

That is the item I used as well. Im still working on learning it.

Gotta keep that wheel from getting loose against the nut as it turns on the rail. But that paint is water soluable and that makes it a winner for me.

[loathar]

I use a dark brown Sharpie permanent marker - just zip it down the rail webs.  It's good enough to my eye and I can always handpaint later if I want (but I'm lazy so I usually don't want).

I've also used Krylon dark brown spray paint.  I've never had a problem with it attacking the plastic ties or extruded foam.  Your experience may be different, so if you use it do a test section first.

 

I'd be careful around pink and blue foam with any enamel or lacquer spray paint. I've had it eat foam in the past.

[nbrodar]

I use Zinc Chromate for my Mains:

And DRG&W Freight Car Brown for the secondary track:

I thin the paint a little, and handpaint the rail and ties the same color.

Nick

[nucat78]

I use a dark brown Sharpie permanent marker - just zip it down the rail webs.  It's good enough to my eye and I can always handpaint later if I want (but I'm lazy so I usually don't want).

I've also used Krylon dark brown spray paint.  I've never had a problem with it attacking the plastic ties or extruded foam.  Your experience may be different, so if you use it do a test section first.

 

[rxanand]

I can strongly recommend the rusty rails painter and accompanying paint from Joe's Model trains. Here is a photo of the gadget:

The color comes out looking just right.

[selector]

Bob, I have only ever hand-painted my rails.  I do the technique, though not as well, that Joe Fugate recommends/uses: I individually paint my ties so that they look like they have aged differently.  Then I ballast. Then I paint the rails, and following that I weather the ballast...again, as Joe does.  If you spray the rails, you will cover more than the rails, and the ties and rails are typically not the same colour.  Also, by hand-painting the rails, a not so difficult or time consuming job, you get a little run-down, or gravity-assisted bleeding down onto the ties plates and ties of the rusty colour, exactly as it happens in the real world.  I did my entire visible and photographable rail surfaces in about 90 minutes over three or four sessions (no need to paint what can't be accessed visually or photographically.)

-Crandell

[Anonymous]

I've used Floquil Rail Brown on some structures I've done because it had a kind of rusty look to it. When I use it on rails should I spray the ties completely with that color or just let the color fall where ever it falls? Also what would you suggest for overall weathering of the ties? Thanks Bob

[wjstix]

I've been using "Neo-Lube", it dries to a nice dark gray flat finish. It's a lubricant sold thru Micro-Mark; it's nice in that unlike paint, it conducts electricity.

[Anonymous]

I use Bradgon Powders and Joe's Paint for my Kato Track, Experimental only. Learning and evaluating.

 http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tracktesthw0.jpg

 

[loathar]

I like using oil base for track so Floquil would be my choice. Railroad tie brown and Roof brown are good as mentioned. Floquil has the rust color and a rail brown that look good on the rails. It really depends on the area your modeling. A lot of rail is just a grimey brown color. I'm using camoflauge brown spray paint from Krylon and Rustoleum. (much cheaper) I then use a rust wash on the rails and some ground up earth tone chalks to weather the ballast.

Look at some track pics on the net and see what type of look your going for.

[selector]

I use Polly Scale Railroad Tie Brown, but I think, in retrospect, that Joe Fugate and some others have a better handle on the right colour with Roof Brown.  For rusty rails, I just used Floquil Rust.  Once again, in retrospect, I would use a darker base first, and then paint over that with the Rust.  The single coat of the Rust looks thin and bright in some spots, or under certain light conditions.

[crisco1]

 

   Hi,

   What kind of paint do you use to weather track?  I can't find the right combination of paint?

                                                                                                             Chris