weathering track

[dknelson]

There are so many advantages in appearance to weathering rail that I think it is worth doing. 

A few things occur to me.  First is that concrete tie track that has been in place for a while does tend to show some effects of rust stains on the concrete in the vicinity of the track itself.  Even ballast under a tie plate tends to take on a rusty color.

So using, say, one of the Testors paint sticks that comes in rail weathering colors (somewhat like a magic marker in operation but you need to shake the stick and "pump prime" the tip a few times to make the paint flow into the tip) to run down the length of the rail should work, and if a bit of it gets on some ties, so long as it is not a strange looking clean line it should be ok, and maybe being ready with a cotton swab to mop up blunders would be a good idea.

Having a thin shim of metal, cardstock, or plastic covering the ties while you run a Testors rail weather color paint stick down the rail would help control things and at least avoid the more embarassing gaffs.

The other idea, which I have NOT tried, is that Micro Engineering makes a liquid solution which chemically patinas or darkens the rail through a chemical reaction.  I assume it is the same stuff that they use for their preweathered flex track.  What I do not know is whether it in any way stains the concrete colored plastic.  It may be worth experimenting on a piece of track before tackling the layout.  In theory the stuff reacts primarily with metal and since it comes in a plastic bottle I assume it has no effect on plastic, but still -- experiment.

Dave Nelson

 

[Doc in CT]

 Very nice looking layout you have there, Larry

Doc

[tangerine-jack]

Perhaps not paint but chalk would be better.   Depending on what you are trying to do with the concrete ties, and what rail line you model, it's possible to simply spray a light coating of dark grey down the middle of the track and leave the rest new.  It takes a while for concrete to become weathered looking and if only electric trains are run on the line, there is little soiling in the form of grease and oil spills.

High speed lines are well maintained, there will be little if any weeds or trash.  Ballast profiles will be uniform, track geometry very close to engineering specs.

Maybe mask the rails and some ties, then give the track a wash with inks.  This will simulate older track with tie replacements.  The rails can be painted flat black once the ties are masked off - this will simulate newer rails that have been in service for about a year, but not long enough to have rusted proper.

Just my observations from the Acela lines in the NE corridor.  The best thing to do is find some photos online or do a little railfanning to get some more ideas.

[ClinchValleySD40]

I've never hand painted track, so I can't comment on that method.   For the concrete tied track on my layout, I masked the ties and sprayed the rails.   Not difficult to do, pretty quick and easy.   Then the alcohol/india ink on the ties as suggested.

There should be a few photos in the link below.

Larry

[larak]

onrfanatic

With regards to the atlas flex track with cement ties, what is the best and simplist way to weather the rail and ties to make them look more prototypical?

 

Just guessing here Nathan (concrete ties are too new for my era), but I think I would paint the rails the usual rust or brake dust colors (brake dust on down slopes) and weather the ties with india ink diluted in alcohol. A half inch wide brush should work for you. Maybe add in some dust colors if your trains carry loads of stone or even a thin wash corresponding to your ballast color.

Good luck and most of all - enjoy the ride!

 

[Anonymous]

 Nathan,

 that´s a good question, indeed. Painting the whole track  Railroad Tie Brown with an airbrush is out of question. Weathering concrete ties can only be done by hand, tie by tie, and the rail painted separately in a brownish, rusty color.

Does anybody have a different method?

[onrfanatic]

Hello,

With regards to teh atlas flex track with cement ties, what is the nest and simply way to weather the rail and ties to make them look more prototypical

thanks

Nathan, Timmins, Ont

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