What color do you use for rail painting?

[chuck geiger]

I like how Ed builds up the roadbed with sand and dirt and then
ballast. And cinders too. Cinders be bad a$$.

[lashedup]

Jamie - what a great picture - How's the module coming?

Should have an update soon. Bought a Silhouette HD craft cutter and it scores styrene perfectly. Building the structures just takes time and I'd like to get back to working them into the module and getting scenery down.

Back to your regularly schedule program...

[chuck geiger]

But we still have to take that nipper and cut out a window, we need
a punch that will punch out squares of plastic.

[DKS]

But we still have to take that nipper and cut out a window, we need
a punch that will punch out squares of plastic.

http://www.micromark.com/5and16-CORNER-PUNCH,7805.html

[chuck geiger]

Micro Mark has everything, even machines that will open and pour your beer
in a cold glass. I think it even chills the glass first.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ahahahah.

I think the subroadbed is important, but like anything, work from photos of what you're trying to replicate. Some places have proper grading, others it really is just ballast on dirt. It really does vary.

[Frank Amato]

I like the craft paints as well, but it doesn't "stick" to the rail as well as I would like.  For my next track painting session, I may spray a base coat first.

  Frank

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That's a good idea. I've had trouble with that too, so I usually end up just schlepping a lot on.

[Pomperaugrr]

I like the craft paints as well, but it doesn't "stick" to the rail as well as I would like.  For my next track painting session, I may spray a base coat first.

  Frank

That is a good idea.  I have experimented with airbrushing on different colors.  I will probably go with airbrushing on a coat of Poly Scale "roof brown" and then hitting the rails with washes of dark gray and rust.  I'll also hit random ties with various light and dark gray washes.

Eric

[DKS]

I like the craft paints as well, but it doesn't "stick" to the rail as well as I would like.  For my next track painting session, I may spray a base coat first.

  Frank

May want to try a base coat of automotive adhesion promoter. It's essentially clear flat primer.

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/adhesionPromoter/

[Ian MacMillan]

Should have an update soon. Bought a Silhouette HD craft cutter and it scores styrene perfectly. Building the structures just takes time and I'd like to get back to working them into the module and getting scenery down.

Back to your regularly schedule program...

I have one of those as well. I like it. My wife bought it for scrapbooking some years back.


I use PolyScale Roof Brown for my rail.

[central.vermont]

May want to try a base coat of automotive adhesion promoter. It's essentially clear flat primer.

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/adhesionPromoter/

Dave,
Have you tried this stuff on flexible handrails? Wonder if it would
help to keep the paint on. I know it won't help if the paint you use
is too brittle to begin with, but I have been using Tamiya Canopy Paint
that is very flexible. Still though it can be scraped off a bit too easy I think
so this could be the answer to that. Guess it's off to the hardware store
to give it a try.
Jon

[DKS]

Dave,
Have you tried this stuff on flexible handrails?

No, I haven't, it might be worth a try.

[chuck geiger]

Ed you are correct sir, wait that's Johnny (showing age), building up what a Class 2
siding or ML look likes, some are just dirt and sand with some ballast rocks. One of
the scenes I am modeling in the desert, the rail is covered with blowing sand.

This is actually the single track mainline of The SD&AE West of Plaster City:

[chuck geiger]

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-paint-model-railroad-tracks-234063/