How-To Model Realistic Model Railroad Scenery - Weathering Track - Budget Supplies

[@AbelG8781]

Probably the best weathering job for track I have seen! Too many times I've seen a dark brown color being used as overall tie and rail color, this looks great!!

[@AbelG8781]

@Ohio Steam and Steel since this comment, I have recently found a better way of painting rails. I now use Mission Models paints to paint the rails and ties separately. For rails I use a bottle applicator that has a wheel that rides on the rail sides.

[@garfieldirwin]

Amazing that the best track weathering technique is from a 10-year old video. I've watched dozens of track-weathering YT videos and liked this one best. I tested it on my Atlas o-scale layout and the results were absolutely stellar. I did make some minor changes to the technique though. Firstly, I prefer Pan Pastels in lieu of chalk as they're ready to use, not that expensive and go a long way. I also used Krylon Camouflage brown to initially spray the track instead of black. Spraying the track with an oil-based primer is critical because the chalk needs something to "bite", and this Krylon is one of the best primers you can get. I also found there was no need to mix the alcohol slurry rust chalks -- I just dusted the rails and tie plates directly using a mix of oxide read, burnt umber and black -- which sticks just as well as the alcohol slurry painted on. Anyway, it's a bit of work but the results are worth in and better than anything else I've seen. Thanks Joey!

[@ajknaup3530]

Nice job! Simple, ez 2 follow instructions, economical supplies & it looks great! TYSM! ( :

[@BriansModelTrains]

Wow - some really good ideas. It's nice your wife supports your passion.

[@sirracer2005]

The best tips and best best videos That I have ever found. I'm glad there are great people like you in this hobby.

[@tracksidescenery]

Thank you! Much appreciated. Be sure to keep up with the latest videos where we are building an all new display layout!

[@MartyLJ57]

I found the last 4 videos are really great. I can't wait to get started on my On30 layout.

[@barrysmith8193]

Excellent Joey. Thanks for showing us the best method I’ve seen. My layout is late 1800s narrow gauge in the deep forest and the track would have come from a thinly capitalized source so crooked, old, rusted, poorly laid lends itself to many of your instruction videos.

[@artyz2002]

To make my own weathering powders from chalk, I actually used a very cheap electric coffee grinder. Great tool when one needs a lot of weathering powder.

[@Jjonathanhart]

Wow, those tracks look so realistic.

[@genecimino2255]

Love the Chalk/Alcohol for rust. I took some 150 grit sandpaper "painted" it with your rust and used small strips for S scale tie-plates on my re-purposed American Flyer track. I replaced the ugly metal ties with stained wood ties cut by the folks at Mt. Albert, Then glued down the tie-plates and spiked the rail down with small spikes. I also used your rust on the rail sides.

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Nice job..... thanks for sharing

[@tjstricker25]

thank you !I am just getting starting with my ho layout and this helps me very much!Thank you so very much ! TJ

[@thomasgrassi8817]

Nice Video Joey looking into weathering my track now but it is already ballasted. PS My Helix is now operational up to Level 14 Thanks for the help

[@pacbeltrr38]

Joey, I still enjoy going through your older videos. Always some little tidbit I forgot about! My wife just got me a pastel chalk set, and I'm going to try that rail technique. Carmine 🚂

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

I am using this technique on my model Railway. The result is coming out awesome. It looks so realistic. I then went on to use brown and black chalk on my diesel locos and the weathering effect is cheap and looks so realistic. Likewise the weathering on the track and the locomotives using exactly the same “dust and dirt” blend together visually. I recommend this process to everyone. Go on give it a go you will NOT be disappointed!

[@njRRtrainer]

Great jiob well done... Thanks for the tips and effort

[@kathystanding6332]

I really wish i found your videos before i went to the hobby shop and paid $41 for 8 little tubes of powder. i dont have to fwd threw all the boring talk of what they are going to do. Seriously stop crapping on and get on with it. im just starting out and you are the best teacher ive come across. add abit of comedy brilliant. Hi to the boss as well and stay away from her blender LMAO and the oven

[@thetooter988]

I used this technique on some HO scale Peco Code 83 flex track and it turned out beautifully. I just recently found your tutorials on KZbin and have used some of your other techniques with fantastic results. I notice that it's been a while since you have posted any new tutorials but I hope you will do some more because I look forward to seeing what other great ideas you have.

[@attackeagle]

Well done! Enjoyed it!

[@MsDoogle123]

Great tutorial !Thank you👌

[@daveolliemetalhead]

Nice job it looks real

[@Amer_Stickers]

I used this technique today and it worked great! Thanks!

[@tracksidescenery]

Glad to hear that it worked for you, I would love to see some pics and even possibly share to the other folks on our facebook page or even in a new segment of our videos called "side tracked". You can always email the pics to me,,,Thanks, Joey

[@nemmrrc]

Great tutorial. Thank you.

[@Lawrence5987]

Hey Mugsy, how do you weather the sleepers and fishplates on track? Incredibly realistic track weathering. Top of the class!

[@polockalam7814]

Hi, I like your post. It's a nice video

[@nicholaslongford3052]

I tried to paint my track with just acrylics hated it. I've been considering airbrushing... but this looks great. I have got chalk which I have used previously but never thought about this... 😊

[@davidpierce1945]

On the track you can use red primer it dries to a perfect Rusty look. I use rust oleum Rusty metal primer.

[@ninascroggins2481]

I'd give it a thumbs up,,,but,,, I had an accident and cut it off!!

[@kevinmacomber5067]

This is hands down the best weathering advice I have seen on KZbin. How do you handle the shiny spots when you bend the track? Is that simply touching it up?

[@tracksidescenery]

Yep, You'd have account for that when doing each piece or simply touch it up. I felt that most folks would probably paint and weather with track on layout as opposed to how I did it in video before hand.

[@fernandogagliardo6618]

Great vid! hot much time has to elapse between each step of painting? Thanks for all!

[@kenlayre5973]

Really liked the video along with all your other one. The question I have dealing with this video deals with the track you used. What type and size did you use for this video and what do you recommend for On30 track. I am starting too plan my layout and need to know what I should use of On30 scale. I am planning to use you weathering technique.

[@bigeddie1231]

very cool tip sir thank you

[@rexcadral3468]

Your results are AMAZING and your technique should transfer well to the G-scale track I have to weather. Mercifully, mine shipped with the rails & ties separate, which means I can rattle-can the basic rust color on the rails without worrying about overspray.

[@wcrunner9540]

What will painting the track to do the electrical connection? Are there potential problems that need to be avoided? I'm a novice at this.

[@johnchandrav.1823]

Hello Joey, great video this one.Looking forward to your other vids. What's the teacher's name you stole the chalks from? She's nice, she a model railroader too? Get her into the vids as well. Thx

[@threetwoleft]

Great video! Have a question for you. Why do you grate the chalk and paint with that versus using rust color acrylic paint? Does the chalk give a certain texture? If you chose to use acrylic paint, is there something I could add to the paint to give it that texture? Thanks!

[@tracksidescenery]

Hey Phil, Great question actually, and I hope folks read this. Because I am an artist and professional photographer I see it without thinking about it, but many people do not relate the word "texture" to something visual and often think if it in terms of feel or taste only. Yes, the chalk does create a certain texture that acrylic paints may not have, it is also the unique quality of the "change" it takes on with the addition of more chalk over it. Another little secret is that I use this rust chalk for painting the effects of rusted metal on many items in model building. From brackets, bars, plates etc, but in that case I "dumb it down" with a black paint wash. Water base paint or solvent wash both work, only consideration for that choice should be what you are applying to and regards to how thinner in the solvent wash would effect a surface. So to sum this up, the use of chalk is different from acrylic in the concept that it absorbs and changes it's look. Paint in many cases just covers, but a dusting or wash over chalk is absorbed into the effect. feel free to email me if you have additional questions.

[@jsrogers6464]

Are there any issues with the connectors when putting the track together, or do you use Bright Boy and sand paper on these as well? Totally new to modeling railroads. Great videos and thanks.

[@kemtox]

Nice video! :-) probably the best weathering results i have seen in a while. Im working with n scale and im concerned that the chalk powder might get too clumsy inside the rail. Do you think this might be a problem? Thanks!

[@wouterpinkhof7283]

The sueda colour you use: could you tell wat colour it is. Cannot see it on the container.

[@Phoenixknight79]

I am wanting to build my first diorama, like you said I don't have the money to build a layout or the space but I want to do photo shoots with my HO scale trains... so I am needing all the help and information I can find.

[@GrahamWalters]

Hi again, can you make a video showing how to weather points, I mean how much cleaning up do you need to do to maintain electric contact ?

[@geechievon]

VERY GOOD I WILL TRY IT THK

[@timsering9964]

The end result looks great...but if you have a large layout, it can be quite time consuming

[@AAMGG]

How do you seal chalk dust onto the balast? Clear spray?

[@josephcirillo5292]

I started out by spray painting my Atlas O track with Camouflage colored spray paint. I then applied a Khaki colored acrylic paint to the ties. I followed that up with the 'pasta sauce' to add the rust color to the rails. It was all looking good. I ran into a problem when applying the chalk. It just didn't stick to the ties enough and the ties do not seem dark enough. Anyway to get the chalk to stick to the ties better?

[@tracksidescenery]

When you say "chalk on the ties", can I assume you are talking about the black dusting?......could be the chalk you are using or the brush or duster you are applying it with. Experiment with it.

[@josephcirillo5292]

Exactly.....some spots cover well and they look great...other spots are barely covered...I will try a different brush...have already tried 2 different type of chalks...thanks for the tip Joey

[@Phoenixknight79]

When you dust the track, are you brushing or like just tapping the brush over everything?

[@tense6098]

Hi Guys - Great Video and thanks for doing - Question if you tracks are in and already ballast - you said the technique applies but do you still go with the same technique and paints?i.e. suaeda - Thanks Again

[@tracksidescenery]

@Matias Martinez, it would be a challenge to do this after ballast is applied. You probably could do it, but if it were me, I would vacuum all the ballast off and start over.

[@tense6098]

Thank you - I am going to experiment with leaving the track on with the ballast - tried the vacuum and not is moving

[@jaybeckham]

Joey, would you suggest the same basic colors for PRR mainline on the NE corridor? I am modeling portions of the PRR both South and North of Baltimore Union Station. Thanks.

[@tracksidescenery]

Jay, absolutely. If you find a prototype picture, you can compare and adjust your colors based on that. It's always best to test a small section to see what the results will be.

[@TFN5459]

What did you use to clean up the tops of the rails for operation when all is said and done? I usually use rubbing alcohol to clean off my rails but I'm not sure if it will take off the powders and acrylics. I really want to use a variation on your technique but don't plan to go dead rail! Thanks in advance.

[@tracksidescenery]

Light fine grit sandpaper, bright boy cleaning block and or paint thinner all work just fine. We use this technique on our current project layout series which you can see right here on our channel. Approximately the 10 most recent videos here on the channel are about the current project layout.

[@Southern8099]

What do you use to clean the top of the rail after painting?

[@tracksidescenery]

Any commercially available cleaning block found at hobby shops (Bright Boy) etc. Also I use fine sandpaper.

[@elchick8328]

This is probably a stupid question, but since I haven't weathered with chalk before, how well does it stay put? Does it flake off over time? Do you need to seal it to make sure that it doesn't rub off? I'm new to the whole weathering game, but I want realism in my models, not some cheap - looking plastic toy. I primarily use N scale. How well do you find the texture of the chalk works in that scale? Thanks for your input! I liked the video.

[@tracksidescenery]

+El Chick - A good set of questions and assuming we are talking about track and structures (not locomotives)! The smaller the scale, the finer the chalk or pigments should be, but don't drive yourself crazy trying to over do it. I use the same stuff for O, HO and N Scale. It works the same in all scales, but like anything, you have to experiment with the technique. The part about "staying on" is answered when you ballast the track and apply whatever method you use to make the ballast stay put. That is what will keep the chalks on, however, with the dusting of the track, The wetting or over wetting can drain some excess down into the ballast. In that case you can go back over it with another dusting. The Spruce layout you see in the videos was completely done with this method and the layout has traveled thousands of miles to train shows without having to refix the weathering. Occasionally some ballast gets loose from the traveling, but that is an easy fix with the same methods.

[@elchick8328]

+Trackside Scenery Thanks for the answer! Since you bring it up, I am assuming that you would need to seal a locomotive to keep the chalk from rubbing off. What kind of sealant would you recommend?

[@tracksidescenery]

+El Chick - Locos and rolling stock I do differently. It is with chalk powder, but mixed with thinner and applied wet and also as dry dusting. This for both the dirt, grime and even rusts. Practice on old stuff though, it takes some getting used to and like the track and such, you can't just wipe it off. Additionally, you can do this with water in place of thinner which makes it easier to get some off or adjust, but it if you get a look you like, you may smear it once dry. In that case you'd need to seal to keep it on.....with that said El Chick, I use the thinner method and I do not seal it in any way.

[@elchick8328]

+Trackside Scenery - Excellent, thanks very much for the insight! I have watched several of your other videos as well, and have subscribed. Keep up the awesome work, and thanks again!

[@GrahamWalters]

And there was I as a newbie to railway modeling that these chalks were all specialist things, they are half the price in the discount stores.

[@chaphogue]

Do you clean off the top of the track so that you get electrical current through for dcc?

[@tracksidescenery]

Ty, sorry for the delay in response. yes, you should always consider electrical contact after painting and such. I use a bright boy cleaning block or 300+ grit sand paper to take off the paint and residue. There are also chemicals you can use, but I do not use them. Make it easy.

[@algernonmagillicutty6360]

Interestingly, If you were to handle things that are rusty, grimy and oily it will get on your hands. Maybe the reason chalk works well.

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU DETAIL VIDEO

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

"Putin' makeup on a clown: make it up then dumb it down!" Great song.

[@alecsapounas7497]

Hello May I ask what type of track was used and the code. Alec

[@davidcurtis5398]

Yes but the drinking kind makes the wheathering look so good.......Painting track before it goes on the layout can make electrical connections a problem.....

[@SouthBrooklynRR]

Just got back from the craft store had a sale on paint Org. $1.39 on sale .86 cents oh yeah I got a selection

[@tracksidescenery]

I could spend all day in a craft store - did I just say that?

[@jocking3]

1:43 The middle photo on the board looks like Stalin dressed as Superman.

[@rosseatsleepjdm]

Haha it totally does! Superstalin, Marxist of Steel :P

[@kcsthebetterway]

A teacher!?! You poor guy!

[@user-sh9du2nv5y]

Joey you are living the dream, playing with trains all day and Having a Hot Wife in the Evening time.

[@phil36310]

far tooooo complex. ! Spray on a coat, clean railheads and then use paint markers to paint the rails. Fast and easy anddddd noooo mess!

[@Synthematix]

God american trains are awful

[@dexterdog62]

Why would you say that?