Painting The Model Railroad Right-of-Way | Boomer Diorama ~ Vlog # 189

[@jamfjord]

Boomer, thanks for your advice in a comment a little while ago; I used your tips to airbrush matte medium onto the scenery I was working on and it turned out great. Really great, better than I could have hoped! This is the perfect video for me to move on from that, I think - get the scenery *under* the matte medium looking even better for the next project. For anyone else reading this who is new to Boomer's channel, I recommend going back through the older videos, you won't regret the time spent - treat it like a modelling college class, do the 'assignments', jump in and practice, practice, practice. You'll get enormous satisfaction from what you create when it starts to click :)

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. I am always happy to here about those who benefit in some way from the channel content. Cheers ~ Boomer.👍😁

[@robertwierenga5110]

Thanks! I’m 81 and have been building layouts as big as 20 X 60 for over 70 years. I’m now down to a 16” X 24’ shelf layout and having much more fun. I’ll be the first to admit you’re never too old to learn more and believe me I’ve learned a lot of new techniques from you. Thanks again Boomer.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@augustharris4569]

I just feel like I am watching a master class with each episode. Thank you!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for the encouragement!

[@phmoffett]

I love your idea of the "postage stamp scene." Such a great description. I'm going for it. Many thanks for your inspiration and motivation.

[@boomerdiorama]

You can do it!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks for this Boomer. Airbrushing landscape elements is among the most important lessons I learned from your channel - the scenery really does come alive after taking an airbrush to it.

[@boomerdiorama]

Great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to share! Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

Always look forward to the comfort of Sunday evenings with your videos. lt's like how I would look forward to The Wonderful World of Disney, in my youth. Thanks Boomer - Cheers - Bill.

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . I remember those days.😁

[@harperlarry49]

Yes!! I have those paint colors. Beautiful work, as usual. Another of your videos that I have saved for future reference. Thanks for sharing. Cheers - Larry.

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@davidcurtis5398]

harperlarry - subscribe and you won't have to "save" any of the individual videos. You'll have them all like a lot of us have.

[@harperlarry49]

@@davidcurtis5398 I have subscribed.... a long time ago. I save different videos to specific folders so I can find them when I want. This video is in a folder called Track and Ground Painting along with several of Boomers other vids and 3 other like videos. This is just my way of organizing for quick reference. I do this with my other interests as well, such as Arduino, DCC-EX and more.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@harperlarry49 Now that you mentioned it , I need to update the playlist. Thanks for the reminder.😁

[@bernicemeade3232]

Thanks for the sunday layout Special Great job

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamkrueger-y9f]

Thanks for sharing, each time some sticks. I guess I learn in layers ... ha ha Cheers.

[@boomerdiorama]

You and me both!

[@duanewhite3275]

Excellent art class with every video. Right-of Way looks great, Dusty is a real cutie.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you very much!

[@herrkiwi3110]

One of the best tips you gave I think for me personally was painting the static grass. I love the randomness (if that's a word) of your track just like the real world. Nothing is ever 100% perfect on the railway. We have the same airbrush 🙂great performer for the price. Cheers

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. Random tufts of grass are effective indeed. Thanks for sharing.😁

[@timhamilton5699]

Fantasitc work! Watching your new videos has become a Sunday highlight.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing that. Cheers.

[@stephenhottle6783]

I see that Dusty has been supervising the whole time 😻

[@boomerdiorama]

She never missed a beat . . . ;-)

[@perryamicangelo4008]

Very nice video, I like the idea of the postage stamp technique...Dusty is such a beautiful kitty, my cat Elijah loves when I'm working downstairs...thanks for posting!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you so much! Dusty is awesome. She loves being around the layout. ;-)

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Always look forward to a new video from you! Learn something new each time! As always, fantastic looking! Thanks for sharing!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@larryhurd8111]

Hey Boomer, good advice about mixing your own colors. You’d be surprised about how realistic it can turn out. I started doing more IPA and less pigment, you’re right about the results. You have some good tunes in your videos. Dusty sure enjoys that railroad, he looks like quite the mouser.

[@boomerdiorama]

No mouse has ever survived to warn their friends. The story is they never come back to talk about Dusty . . lol 😉

[@jimstrainsandstuff9539]

Thanks for the airbrushing and paint mixing. Now I'm a retired 'boomer' too so will have more time soon to get stuck into the model train scenery. Cheers, Jim from Australia

[@boomerdiorama]

Have fun! The hobby is awesome!

[@OtterCreek]

Class in session, Information absorbed! 😊

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ericp6612]

I haven’t watched one of your videos for sometime, haven’t been working on my model railroad but trying to get back into it. Great video and the motivation I needed! I like the “tinted IPA” description!

[@boomerdiorama]

Welcome back!

[@ericp6612]

@@boomerdiorama looks like you have a lot of content to get caught up with!

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

nice job, thanks for sharing

[@boomerdiorama]

Same to you! Cheers. 😁

[@iangerahty3422]

Dusty Springfield 👍😉😂😂😂‼️

[@boomerdiorama]

Dusty proof trees ;-)

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Boomer, just awesome how you’ve shown this madness to the method. Very cool how the depth of the scene transforms with such subtle color tones! Cheerio

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad you enjoyed it Vincent! Thank you for the support. Cheers.

[@long5243]

Fantastic tutorial, once i get more paints and tracks set up ill have to expirament a bit more!

[@boomerdiorama]

Make sure you thin the paint lot's. It goes a long ways when you do it this way with an airbrush. In fact, it will blow you away how far the paint goes when you learn to spray it thin like this and the effects are stunning..

[@MotownModels]

Beautiful work per usual. It's funny how we all have "that" tool that works and we love. For me it's my Iwata Eclipse airbrush.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed. I really like my old Omni 5000. It never failed me (until I wore it out), and cut small lines as well. Funny thing is all my Iwatas don't work well. Cheers.

[@MiniModellingOfficial]

I found this channel through the model railroader at the Fort Langley CNR station! great to see a local model railroader!

[@boomerdiorama]

Cool. Maybe that was Jerry. Cheers.😁

[@derekalexander4030]

That was amazing. Each track looks different and appears to have different levels of use but those oversprays really tied them together at the same time. You really do amazing scenery.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. The airbrush is the modeler's miracle tool. Thank you! Cheers!

[@bobhastings6464]

Hey Boomer Just had a chance just now to watch the video. It was very timely as I have section of track that needs weathering right now so I will give some of that a try. It will be interesting to see how it can blend in with what I’ve already done. Cheers from Ontario Bob

[@boomerdiorama]

You can use a medium "Round" brush with a thin wash and spread it around as well. You don't have to use an airbrush. Just make sure it is a very thin wash. Let it dry, and see if it looks O.K.

[@brunorigazzi5267]

Been watchn ur videos for probably couple yrs now and ur style of modeling is beyond anything else I've seen. Unbelievable talent sir...I have a basement layout that's about 20 by 18 I built bout 8;yrs back and ur view of just a simple shelf layout made me wish I would have built it smaller to focus in on sections at a time as u do for more detail and as to not get burned out which I do quite often and lose interest...was just in a bad car accident and goin to take sum time to get well but when able I'm goin to get back into it....ur such a inspiration to me and just ur whole way of modeling is by far unmatched. Thank you for the effort and time u put into sharing ur way of doing what u do...take care and God bless

[@boomerdiorama]

Whoa . . . sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you will be O.K. I also pray for a speedy recovery for you and a new found inspiration for your hobby. God Bless. ~ Boomer.

[@brunorigazzi5267]

@@boomerdiorama thank you so much

[@danielfantino1714]

I´ll try your Tamiya IPA recipe, then practice it. Thanks for your sharing.

[@boomerdiorama]

Have fun!

[@harleynut1961]

Another fantastic video, I’ve been binge watching all your videos for the past month , getting my paints and mediums in hand and yes my new to me airbrush and feel ready to go. For the track is it better to ballast first before painting the rails or paint rails and then ballast , can’t find this in your videos. Thanks love seeing Dusty involved , just lost my 18 year friend.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sometimes I use my airbrush to spray water onto wet paint. I also use straight IPA , in the same manner, from my airbrush as well. ;-)

[@harleynut1961]

@@boomerdiorama Boomer much appreciate the input , I actually meant would you apply colour to the rail before or after ballast as painting of the rails would be applied to the ties and ballast as well which may or may not cause an issue . Continuing to research through your videos.

[@harleynut1961]

Just wanted to come back and comment again about how well your method is working for me , I’ve painted the rails themselves allowing the overspray to engulf the ties , I have a rather large layout and I’m indeed finding the more I go over with the airbrush the more I’m appreciating the results. The ties will be next and after watching your other video on applying the raw umber pigment I’m thinking I may go that route as I’m having a difficult time with a color for the ties and the overspray from doing the rails gave the ties such a nice look and I’m thinking the raw umber pigment may work nicely.

[@boomerdiorama]

If you like thee look then go with it. Often times the simple approach is best. We can over work things sometimes. 😁

[@philippeleblanc7293]

Wonderful tutorial

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for taking the time to share that! Cheers ~ Boomer.😁

[@ronhill5118]

I am glad you showed ad-hock ballasting. I was doing that last Saturday at the museum.

[@boomerdiorama]

All right! Sounds cool! Cheers.

[@helmutvorlaufer6647]

I have been building all sort of models mostly aircraft and armor since I was 7 and later on HO railway and thought I learnt it all over the years . I am now building a shelf / Modular Railroad North west based BNSF , CP in my garage . I am going that rout because it is the only space available to me . I am a stickler for realism and when ever I need a bit of inspiration I watch Boomer Diorama because he is one of the best out there

[@boomerdiorama]

I can remember building almost all the Tamiya armor kits as a kid as well. I think alot of older model railroaders began there at some point. I learned a great deal about weathering from armor modeling as well. Cheers.

[@warrenholmar1129]

Brilliant video. I think I'm going to be buying IPA by the gallon. Or by the litre at least. I love those distressed sidings and the odd ball spacing on the rail ties.

[@boomerdiorama]

All the pros from film paint this way. The catch is: You don't need to be a pro to do to. Any beginner can do it with practice. ;-)

[@perryamicangelo4008]

Hi Boomer, I got on google Maps, and I was cruising glover Road, and 1 shot near the cell tower showed the grain elevator, it was pretty neat!!! But the other pics showed it leveled....you do beautiful work! ...Perry

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. They demolished the Grain Elevator last winter. The lease ran out a few years ago. Otter Co-op used to lease the property from Canadian National. The spur belongs to SRY Rail Link who used to drop 2 grain cars there a week. Eventually trucking replaced the Co-op (Farm Feed) industry. Now the siding is used by CP for Maintenance of Way (MOW's) service equipment. In hindsight, I am glad I acquired tons of photo's and built a model of the elevator.😁 Section three of my layout will feature the Milner Grain Elevator - which is now history.

[@bruceames6332]

Love the Camera Work !!!!!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you Bruce. 😁

[@frankcerne7613]

That looks great...

[@boomerdiorama]

It feels very railroady . . . ;-)

[@johnschutt9187]

Man! Your videos fly by too fast! I love watching you work and hearing your teaching. Thanks.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sorry about that . . . lol. Sometimes I produce longer videos depending on the content. Your comment is noted. Thanks for sharing! Cheers.

[@gerardlucas5922]

Hello Mr Boomer, my message is not to talk about trains, but today is international CAT day, for my part big kisses to DUSTY, and we are looking forward to the painting of the boat have a nice day best regard

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Thank you. Dusty says " Hi " . . . Cheers.

[@nedmerrill5705]

The airbrush is a key talent for a model railroader. I need to learn it.

[@boomerdiorama]

An airbrush will transform all model building aspects. Start using one as soon as you can and you won't regret it. They are easier than you think. I spray practice while I paint. Fear is the biggest hindrance, but fear melts away like nothing if you just dive in.

[@ronhill5118]

I like the top to seal the paint reservoir. I have trouble not spilling paint at times.

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . sometimes I learn alot when I spill paint. ;-) . . . Happy little accidents. ;-)

[@robroster368]

Thanks!

[@boomerdiorama]

You are awesome! Thank you! Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@unknownrobot2881]

Hi Boomer, I'm a recent subscriber and working through your videos from older to newer. I noted on one of your videos on Glover road that you mentioned putting foam underneath the baseboard to reduce noise. I'd really like to know more about this, including what kind of foam, and where it is attached under the board. I think when you're going for HiFi sound it is vital to eliminate board noise as much as possible. My apologies if you already covered this. I'm in the UK and follow UK prototype, but I really like your approach to building models, it reminds me a lot of Iain Rice (RIP) with the layout presentation and attention to detail. Cheers.

[@boomerdiorama]

I just glued chunks of "pink" insulation foam where I could to absorb any vibration.

[@unknownrobot2881]

Ah ok thanks, I thought you might be using the spongy soft foam but wasn't sure.

[@DeIv422]

Danke!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! I will apply this to some "Matte Medium" . . . ;-)

[@DeIv422]

@@boomerdiorama no, thank you! I am indulging your videos one by one. So informative... Feels like being back at art school but with more fun and no pressure. Only recently I have got to know what Matte Medium is, so feel free to put it into some good use 🥲

[@andrewpalm2103]

Thanks for another thought-provoking video, Boomer. I have a few bottles of Tamiya and might try some subtle blending of the groundcover on my little layout. I used different colors of "gravel" (actually fine WS ballast) in different sections of my layout (and varied track ballast, as well) to create separation of areas/scenes. Although I broke up the gravel areas with some weeds poking through, I think the colors are a bit too uniform and some subtle variation and blending would help the realism. Also, congrats on getting the Talon. I came close to getting an Omni 5000 but ended up with a Sparmax MAX 4. So far so good. Cheers from Wisconsin!

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds good Andrew. Thanks for sharing.

[@dan8402]

Another great episodic de! I am still wondering which industry Dusty will represent. 😂 He seems to enjoy the space as much as you do! I seem to get the thinner the filter ie paint the better. The are general shifts pushing things back or enhancing. I can’t wait to see the continued growth and evolution of the layout.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

[@jonwess6236]

Modeling HO but using bought HO/N scale ballast. Use layering process with light spray of alcohol then 50:50 matte/water. After drying, some of the ballasted areas looked compressed and without character. I'd like to get a fluffier appearance almost like dry ballast before it's glued down. Any thoughts? Thanks

[@boomerdiorama]

I don't use commercial ballast. I never really have. I collect gravels and limestone, etc. and sift it until I like it then use that. Most of it I discarded until I get the best granular look I am after which usually amounts to only 10 % of what I sift. Are you willing to work a little for it? I love the way natural ballast looks. Natural looks better in my opinion, but then are you willing to be adventurous and try that?

[@RobApps-te7pc]

Recently discovered your channel, love the videos. When modeling flat terrain, what do you recommend as a scenery base above the plywood in terms of attaching trees and other material? Thin foam sheets? Golden paste?

[@boomerdiorama]

I use 1/4" cork and insulation foam for thicker terrain. Sometimes I cover the foam with a thin layer of Cell-Clay (Paper Mache).kzbin.info/www/bejne/sILUZWVpnqmYZs0

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

your paint is always great, I have just a switching yard layout and just want to brush paint the cork so witch colors you suggest.(no ballast or weeds)

[@boomerdiorama]

Flat Earth or Brown works.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@boomerdiorama what are the Tamia numbers

[@boomerdiorama]

@@ronaldrondeau7870 XF-52 and XF-79

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@boomerdiorama thanks boomer

[@rmlecko738]

Great video. I was wondering if you weather some the ties individually (IE dry brush) in addition to airbrushing. It seems like there are subtle differences between some of the ties.

[@boomerdiorama]

I don't usually "drybrush" HO 1/87 scale the traditional way. Dry Brushing seems to work well in larger scales. Although, I do use the airbrush to highlight and soften things often. I also change up the color of the ties with various colors in different tones.

[@rmlecko738]

@@boomerdiorama thanks for the quick response! So when you change up the color I assume you do it with an airbrush? If so, it looks phenomenal...looking at the video it appears that the individual ties are different colors...

[@danielfantino1714]

Decades ago a few drops of dishwashing soap in water was used as wetting agent. Is there a reason beside antibacterial to change to alcool that is highly flammable. Thanks to share your knowledges with us.

[@boomerdiorama]

Tamiya paint works awesome with IPA. You have to try it. Water does not have the saturation qualities when it come to multi media texture like Isopropyl Alcohol does. IPA also evaporates faster than water as well and I desire rapid evaporation with acrylics paints at times.😁

[@danielfantino1714]

@@boomerdiorama thanks a lot Boomer. Just like you said many times, Experience and experimentations. So True. Cheers

[@ISAACBATENBURG]

Really nice Boomer! Can you tell me when you use IPA and when water for diluting?

[@boomerdiorama]

I use IPA with the airbrush and water with a tradition paint brush.

[@TheGomes412]

Do any Dust's paws step on the tracks and damage them in anyway? Im asking as someone who's cat is just dying to get up on my shelf layout haha

[@boomerdiorama]

She never walks on the track. She tactfully steps around it. No cat paws will hurt the track anyway. I also don't let her walk around unsupervised as well. 😁

[@wilzdart]

I have a question what needle did you have in the new air brush? I use a Sotar 20-20 on my detail work just because of the low profile paint cup. Mixing paint has been something I have been working on, thanks for the paint info. The Vlogs are great and have learned a lot, one of the things I have learned from you is to think out a scene and don't worry about making changes, so I do a lot of cardboard mock ups. Thanks Booner!!

[@boomerdiorama]

It's the standard needle that comes with it. I never pay attention to the needle because I thin my paint and shoot with high PSI which covers all the bases for me. The trick is tiny incremental pressure on the trigger with high PSI.

[@rogerhuber3133]

Just discovered your channel. Awesome track! What's IPA? How do you clean the overspray off the rails?

[@boomerdiorama]

IPA is Isopropyl Alcohol. I use IPA to thin Tamiya paint. I use Tamiya paint to paint my track. I use an IPA soaked rag or sock to simply wipe off the top pf the rails followed with a wooden dowel to rub off residual. 😁Cheers.

[@rogerhuber3133]

Many thanks! @@boomerdiorama

[@allenlandis4504]

question ? 1 minute 3 seconds into the video their appeal appears a guardrail at the edge of a parking lot. Should not the side facing the tracks be face in the parking lot. it seems in Motor Vehicles would hit it from the wrong side. or is this intended for a different reason ?

[@boomerdiorama]

I did that because I like it. Life is full of anomalies and I don't model in the perfect world . . . ;-) Cheers.

[@allenlandis4504]

Thanks for your reply.I should have known better than to ask this question, It does looks good. (poetic license )

[@boomerdiorama]

@@allenlandis4504 No problem.😁

[@nesnduma]

Very nice work! What’s the diameter of your airbrush’s needle?

[@boomerdiorama]

It's quite fat @ 2.5mm. I use higher P.S.I. to achieve small lines. ;-)

[@FHollis-gw4cc]

Wondering about your method of cleaning the top of the rail after painting.

[@boomerdiorama]

An old IPA soaked sock over the finger. Cleans the paint off like butter.

[@ronaldvanpinxteren3644]

Boomer what airbrush air pressure do you recommend when painting the scenery. Thanks. Regards from the Netherlands, Ronald

[@boomerdiorama]

I use 30-40 P.S.I. I explain all this in next week (Sunday) feature video. - 'Scratching Honker Skiff.' Cheers.

[@romancharak3675]

I suppose the top of the rail needs cleaning after air-brushing?

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed but no need to bore you with it.😁

[@ronhill5118]

Hey Boomer, just a reference. Where do you purchase your Vallejo paints from where you can order the ones you want. Tamiya USA lets you order the ones you want. But all I see is sets of paints. Just wondering. Thanks.

[@boomerdiorama]

I get mine from Intercity Trains and Hobbies. Check out their website. They have all the brands. Cheers.

[@dodo1opps]

How old is Dusty?

[@boomerdiorama]

Seven. ;-)

[@brianragsdale4024]

Do you not have to worry about masking off the rails? I have zero air brush experience

[@boomerdiorama]

No, because you can clean the top of the rail off easily with an old sock on your finger soaked in Isopropyl Alcohol. Or you can use an abrasive track eraser as well. Takes a few seconds. ;-)

[@crmp26]

Okay?

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers!

[@davidcurtis5398]

Boomer, I'm sure you have told us before but what air pressure are you using for the air brush here??

[@boomerdiorama]

I use 30 to 40 PSI.😁

[@davidcurtis5398]

@@boomerdiorama Thanks.

[@monolight1327]

You ADP is sound

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers!

[@ralphrenzetti22]

Oh no a flat earther, no wait, flat earth!

[@boomerdiorama]

;-)