Today I spent some time at the Strasburg RR.
I'll be posting a link to a photobucket folder with about 70 pics
Something I never noticed was how the tracks of steamers differed from diesels. I always thought that the oil streak was on center for all trains. Here's 2 pics of their active track and the streaks mostly follow the rails. I never really noticed until I checked out the pics.
Springfield PA
I suppose it makes sense, when you think of all the photos you see (or memories we have) of the crew oiling the steamers rod bearings and the like, which are either over the rails or even outside them. Diesels, like our cars and trucks drip off the bottom of the motor, center of the vehicle.
Looking forward to the photos. Hope the satalite is up, dial up is s-l-o-w for pictures most of the time.
Have fun,
A very simple way to duplicate the oil effect on your ballasted tracks i use black Tempera paint. Sprinkle it down the center of the track and in some spots you can even work it into the ties a bit with your finger. Give ta spray of wet water and your done. I model late 1950's coal hauling railroad so I simply spread coal dust down over my ballasted track and secure it the same as you would ballasting track.. I some spots I even just used the tempra paint a little on the heavy side and got pretty much the same effect. a bottle of Tempera should cost you less then $5.00 and one bottle should be more then enough to do your entire layout.
Too few people actually detail and weather their track properly, although it makes the difference between a good or an excellent layout. Pelle Soeeborg impressively demonstrated that in a MR feature some time ago.
I take care that I add appropriate detail to my track, like cable ducts etc. I airbrush the track in a dull, brown color, weather the ties with shades of dull black. When the track is ballasted, I brush on light colored powdered pastels and spray the track lightly with wet water.
It is a cumbersome task, but the result is rewarding.