Hello,
I have started construction on a On30 module. It is my first venture into the scale thus there is a lot of making it up as I go. I have decided to handlay rail, I made my own ties from white pine and plan to dull them down with india ink. The problem I have is that io have no idea how to weather the rail. Would airbrushing the rail then wiping the top work in this case? I was woried about it looking odd when sprayed over the inked ties. Any sugestions?
Lost in the snow
I brush painted all the rail on my layout in a couple of evenings. It was HO flex track, so I was painting the rail after it was attached to the ties. Floquil rust if I remember aright. Floquil is gone now, the EPA war on paint thinner killed it. I would use a solvent based paint, lacquer, 'cause it sticks better to metal than water based paints.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I stain all my wood ties with Minwax Dark Walnut. Ebony stain works good if you want it dark, almost black. The stain is easier to use than ink.
I spray my rail with Rustoleum red primer. There is regular primer and rusty metal primer. They are two different shades of red. There are other brands/colors too. After spraying the rail, I wipe the top of the rail off.
Weather the rail before you handlay.
Much easier that way.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
dstarrI brush painted all the rail on my layout in a couple of evenings. It was HO flex track, so I was painting the rail after it was attached to the ties....
I brush-painted my track, too, also flex track. You don't need to be too neat, either, as the rust on the rails also stains the ties on which it sits.Here are some prototype photos which show this...
The last two photos were taken at the same place as the two preceding ones, but at a later date. Note how the new ties are barely stained with rust at all, even though the new rail and tieplates are quite well-rusted.
Wayne
When i weathered my hand laid track i started with weathered rail. Used woodland scenics paint pens, rust and metal colors, put the metal color on first Not worried as to how well it covered. Let it dry. Put the rust on again not worried about coverage consistancy. Once dry it looks pretty good. Or course controling the rust color consistancy gives different appearances. As for ties. I bought quite a few bags of precut unstained. I got a bunch of stains dark color for new ties. A mid color brown. And a light brown. Also got micromarks grey stain. Two bags got a grey stain. One got the dark brown. Most got the mid range brown. One got the light brown. Half the light brown got dunked in the grey as well. Once dry. half of each was mixed in one container. Leaving the rest seperate for consistant uniform tie conditions. Like an old unmaintained siding. The results are pretty reasonable track work. In my photo collection on here you can see that.
I recently found that bu taking the grey ties. And randomly dabbing dark and medium brown. I get a good effect of uneven weathered ties. So far that is only at the acme manufacturing plant. I will get a closeup when i get home. It is best to weather ties and rail seperate brfore putting down. Easier and faster
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space