Brass for lightly used spurs

[FJ and G]

I believe they no longer make HO brass rails. However, I have some that I've been able to use for a variety of purposes including for structures and track bumpers.

While riding the VRE train today to work, I noticed that the lightly used sidings quickly acquire rusty look to the top of the rail. N/S doesn't really capture the look. Brass tracks would look much better for some sidings. Realizing of course, that if you use the sidings, you'd need to clean them a lot more due to the patina that collects.

Are brass HO rails still being made?

I believe that they are in G scale. In G scale you could use the aluminum or N/S for the mainlines and brass for the spurs.

I'm in O scale right now and really don't have a way to do this unless there were some chemical soaking process that could dye the rails brown.

Just some ideas and thoughts.

Dave Vergun

[philnrunt]

Dave- on the layout I'm in the process of destroying now, I used some brass that someone had given me years back for abandoned trackage, and it did look good and drew alot of comments. I'll do the same on my next one.
I'm not real familiar with O rail history, did they ever make 2-rail brass? If so, you might check e-bay and see if someone has some old track they're willing to part with. If not, just grab some old HO, re-gauge it to O scale and say it's code 5! It might just be the look for that light rail siding!

[AntonioFP45]

FJ & G,

Good observations but as you pointed out brass does require more cleaning. [;)]

There is an option you might want to consider: Using "1/4 masking tape (available at Home Depot) mask off just the very top of the rails. Put thin pieces "vertically" on the rail joints.

Next, air brush some thinned-down rust and grime colors along the sides of the rails. A modeler's hand-paint brush will also work but test a sample piece first. You'll be impressed with the effect as it looks MUCH MORE REALISTIC than brass track.

You'll only have to clean the tops of the rails occasionally just like the rest of your track.

Cheers! [:)][:D][8D][swg][tup]

[FJ and G]

Antonio,

I'm aware of painting the sides of rails; that looks good even on mainlines.

You've given me an idea, however. I can observe exactly where the wheel/flange makes contact and then only mask off that part of the top rail and put light rust on the noncontact part.

I've seen tops of rails with rust streaks, indicating moderate spur usage; even on the "mainline" of some shortlines. Only takes a day or 2 for rust to start building up!

dav

[AntonioFP45]

Great!

If you decide to try it, please, let us know your results.

In the past, I would have never considered weathering rails, but one look at Tony Koester's tracks on his "Allegheny Midland" changed my view. He did an outstanding job.

[Budliner]

while your at it [^]
paint your
knuckle couplers
they look rusty too



[:)]