" Base color for a Rail yard"

[TrainsRMe1]

 Hey All,

     I"m in the middle of building a good size rail yard, it's going to be the Union Pacific Yard in Eugene Oregon, the yard is on a sheet of pink insulation foamboard, I just want to know what color would be best for the base, (TAN) earth color, or( GRAY) for ballast and gravel, or Purple, NO!!!!! just kidding!!!!

                              Thanks guys-n-gals

[mobilman44]

Hi,

Dirty brown/black is probably the most prototypical.   Especially if you are modeling  the '70s or earlier, the dirtier your RR facilities, the better.   Of course most of us don't subscribe to that, but you can paint your basic form that color, and then after your track and ballast get placed, you can put some rocks, weeds, signage, whatever to break up that blah color.

Your question is timely, for I was looking at an ATSF "picture book" the other day and was remarking how the yards and facilities were all a shade of black / brown........... 

[TrainsRMe1]

Thanks Mobleman,

    My yard is going to be modern era, 90's to today, I'll post some pic's soon,(as soon as I find time to learn how to upload to this forum)