Painting track for our model railroad

[@davidmusfelt1071]

Thank you Jason. I have learned so much from your videos . I appreciate your hard work and passion for the hobby.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so very much David!!!

[@alexmorgan2296]

What patience, not to mention skill. A real inspiration- thanks for sharing.

[@larryhurd8111]

Track work painting is a lot of work whether you do it before or after installation. I've done it both ways and it is very tedious. Once ballasted and completed it is worth the time spent. I like the idea of using the craft paints versus rattle can and paint makers. All kinds of techniques and once again Jason you are an inspirational artist . Thank you!

[@tombarnes7196]

My favorite tutorials... BB King licks while sipping coffee!

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much Tom!!!

[@harperlarry49]

Nice work. I can't wait to see some track being laid. Thanks for sharing.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much Larry!!!

[@CassidysWorkshop]

I'm always impressed with your mixing of colors, Jason. And the dry brushing at the end gives it the impression of light hitting worn pieces of the ties. Very realistic.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so very much Greg!!!

[@beckystares2262]

Really helpful, I plan to start painting my n-gauge track tomorrow - thank you.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Your welcome! Good luck and have fun!!!

[@johnnyrobertson5971]

Boy oh Boy, Jason you are one dangerously gifted talented model railroader and once again a super great video. My track is in place now and there is a lot of it but have been wondering how I was going to paint my ties. Will take some time but I know now how I am going to do it. Thank you for another Jason Jensen Trains GREAT video.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much Johnny!!! Just takes patience but I figure it's faster the hand laying track, LOL

[@gartsherriejunction4643]

Jason, thank you for everything. I am about to go into self isolation, don't know how long for, but it could be months. Even without Coronavirus-19, I always love your KZbin channel with the passion and skill which we all learn from. Keep the videos coming, as much as you can, because I think that they will be what gets me through this period of self isolation. Here's hoping we all get through this, and the danger will pass us by. Mike

[@JasonJensenTrains]

WOW, Thank you so very much, I really appreciate it!!!

[@laredawg99]

Jason - I'm currently trying to build a simple, yet highly detailed 7 foot test track, with just one turnout. So, for the past 3 months, I've been watching all kinds of videos on how to paint track and apply ballast. I have to admit with jobs like this, my inner nerd comes out naturally and this is the exact process I've been looking for. I especially enjoyed your use of the fine tooth saw to simulate wood grain in the ties and let the black (and gray) washes work their magic. Yes... slow, intricate, boring, highly detailed work with some good background tunes is how I like to roll. Thanks a bunch!

[@toddwiley3043]

Excellent video Jason! Love how the ties came out! what great contrast and detail too. Rockin it Dude!

[@jimsmoter4510]

Looks great, can’t wait to see it on the layout .

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much!!!

[@robertweldon7909]

Hey Jason, Thanks for recommending Steve Browns channel, (It's My Railroad). I've learned a ton about building bench work, electrical install, and "regular guy" scenery building. Unfortunately, I found his channel to late to help him with a common track laying problem. It's called joining sections of flex track on a long curve. It is hard, almost impossible, to keep the joints from kinking. Here's the fix; Join and solder the INSIDE connection, between the 2 central sections of the curve, like normal. Now carefully pull the rail back on both sides, on the outside. Carefully slip a short section of scrap rail into the gap ( about 6 inches long on center, in the MIDDLE of the curve) then slide the outside rail back, butting it against the inserted piece and solder the joints. No more kinks. Note that you have a 3 inch section of rail sticking out that can be used to attach the next section of flex track, no kinks there either. This method can be used wherever you join flex track, creating a smooth continuous track. I learned this trick from a guy in a model railroad club almost 50 years ago. I hope it helps you and others to have smooth running trains. ;-)

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thanks Robert!!! I love Steve's channel. I will have a video on laying track on a curve. Stay tuned....

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Hi Robert, hope you get a chance to see my new video. It shows installing the track on a curve. I think it's the same technique as you described above. Again, thanks for watching and happy modeling!!!

[@robertweldon7909]

Hey Jason; Yes I saw your video and after seeing it, your method is probably closer to what that guy, 50 years ago, showed me. Either way, this method of joining flex track can be used to do far more than just building kink free curves. Thanks for the feed back. ;-)

[@Mercatoyd]

really nice job Jason..I wish I had seen this before I put my track down a few months ago.. I really like the idea of cutting the back side a few ties here and there to make them un uniform. I am at the point of painting as we speak..so, this video became very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share your insight to all the aspects that you do on your channel.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much for the kind words!!! And thank you for watching!

[@Mercatoyd]

@@JasonJensenTrains I have a fine point soldering tip that is wore out and has a hole in the end.. I may try to put a length of wire in that hole..bend it near 45 degrees..and try to melt away some of those stringers from underneath while it's still in place..just an idea..who knows..it may work ..if not.. oh well.. but, it might..

[@TrainQuest-Model-Railroad]

Hi Jason. Thanks you for this amazing video 👍

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Your welcome!!! Thanks for watching!!!

[@Grainexpress]

Outstanding work Jason! 😍 You have given me a few ideas on painting mine. Thanks! Can’t wait to see trains rolling. 🚂

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much for watching!!!

[@chazzyb8660]

Ha-ha - I thought - just for a moment when i saw the title - that you were going to start laying some track. But no, of course not! Preparation is so important and I quite see that to get the effect you are going for this is what needs to be done. I really like the idea of tweaking the ends of the sleepers, texturing them more, and knocking the odd one out of alignment. Great ideas, I imagine for track further away that a simple undercoat, and black-wash, and then dry brush technique would have nearly as good an effect. I hope you and yours keep safe at this difficult time.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much for watching, I really do appreciate it!!! Your absolutely correct when you say preparation is so important. Stay safe!

[@johnruvidich8257]

Awesome as always ! Thanks Jason

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much John!!!

[@rgetty]

This is great! Track is a model, too. Going to try this today!

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much Robert!!! Have fun and happy modeling!!!

[@davidmuse7004]

Jason, very nice result looks good! Thank for sharing Muse

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much David, I always appreciate hearing from you!!!!

[@williambryant5946]

Track looks awesome, just like everything your paintbrush touches. I've been so interested in watching you build and paint models that I forgot you were doing a train layout. Nice to see some track going down. 👍

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much William!!! I always appreciate it!!!

[@richardclowes6123]

I'm just in the middle of increasing the layout to include another 4 lanes into a 'Shunting Yard'. I'm tempted to have a go at painting this lot. I've never painted track before so it was good to see your video. I know it's going to be time consuming but isn't that what part of the love of the hobby is about. I've discovered that when it comes to model railways I actually get more pleasure and satisfaction from building the scenery and scratch building etc rather than just watching the trains go round. Doing the 'Inglenook Challenge' in the new Shunting Yard is a good way of passing time. Hours seem to disappear but it's all good fun.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

So glad that you have such a great passion for the hobby! Thanks for watching Richard and happy modeling!!! 👍

[@craiglowrey9550]

REALLY nice work Jason...but, my 74 year old eyes aren't up to the task! I try to compromise a bit on my layout. Yeah, 40 years ago I could do those details... GLAD you can. Great inspiration to do the best we CAN do. Keep up the great work.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thanks Craig!!! I really appreciate you watching my videos! I love sharing my passion for this hobby with others!

[@mocharger06]

One thing that I do when painting track is to pre-form flex track in place, then lightly glue with CA along the tie-plates to lock the rail in place. I found that doing this keeps the paint on the rail, instead of scraping it off when it's formed after painting.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thanks for the tip!!!

[@bobainsworth5057]

Wish I'd seen this before I started my railroad. Actually, before I finished it. 🤠 I do have a few spots that I can rust up when I do what I call level 2 of the scenery. Nice job you've done here.

[@lucasszymanski114]

Looks great!

[@daviemaclean61]

Nice to see a brushed finish on the ties/sleepers and sides of the rail. Almost everyone seems to use an airbrush and, while I have one, I'm not confident enough to start blasting paint about the place. Cheers

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much for watching!!!

[@Kevin-ev7hw]

Thanks Jason for a great video on painting Flex Track.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Your welcome Kevin!!! Thanks for watching!!!

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi ya Jason, another great tutorial. I was happy to see the brush technique. So many modelers use airbrushes to paint their track. To me it always looks a little too artificial, ( all one shade.) You are a great teacher. I like your “ learn my techniques, but use them your way.” Thanks. Keep ‘em coming! We’ve all become shut-ins. See ya soon.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

I always appreciate it Norman!!!!

[@randydobson1863]

Hi Jason Jensen Trains & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Jason Jensen Trains & Friends & Randy

[@jvanamb]

Hi Jason, Great job. I learned many of your techniques decades ago from George Sellios. It's great to see one of our youngins carrying on the mastery. A single comment. When detailing the rail ties with a pull saw or a razor saw be extra cautious. Or you could spend a LOOONG night in the E.R. I talk from experience. Over the years I have found a safer tool. NO JOKE. Use a kitchen scouring sponge. In this CoVid existence you can sit with wife, while TV sports are are cancelled, and watch her Rom-Com Chick Flix. While her stories mandate the TV screen, you bring along 2 or 3 sections of track, to the LazyBoy. With the scouring pad folded over the work area you distress the rail ties faces and sides. You can repeat to your heart's, or lost mind's, content. Or you can apply additional pressure to give deeper depth. HOWEVER, you can also use the scouring pad side to polish the tops of the rails. While using the sponge for minor dust and shaving residue clean up. ~Jim

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thanks for the great tip Jim!!! And thank you so much for watching, I really appreciate it!!!

[@gjr427]

Another great one Jason. Your track like everything else is so realistic because of your ability to use the different color paints. Something else for me to try once I get going. I hope I"ll be able to use your method, because I plan on using Kato track.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much Jerry!!! I always appreciate hearing from you!!!

[@Drsef50]

Great how-to video Jason. I especially like the way you use common Krylon spray and craft acrylic paints. It has always made me laugh at the modelers that wouldn't think of using anything but what is perceived to be "authentic" railroad colors sold by some company that makes the buyer think they're getting the "real" thing. Dave

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much Dave!!! LOL, don't fall for the scams. I'm always trying to save money so I can spend it on kits. Thanks for watching!!!

[@ErzgebirgsMoBaHO]

Hello. You explained that really well. if you have the track in front of you on the table, that's certainly possible. Designing the track laid on the layout in this way will certainly be very difficult. Depending on how many tracks are on the layout, this will also take an extremely long time. But it looks awesome. Greetings Tino

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much!!!

[@signman9328]

Awesome work, Jason! I can tell I'll need to be getting a stronger pair of 'readers' before painting my track--especially the code 70 rails! :S Great tip about cutting the random tie loose to allow a slight variation and periodic randomness in angle and spacing.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!!!

[@whelleysoulboy64]

As someone who has built and painted many WWII Tanks using only Acrylics through an Airbrush all you need to do is wash the track in washing up liquid to remove any grease from production and from your hands and then you don't need an undercoat and Acrylics are not plasticised so shouldn't peel or fail to adhere. My Tank Tracks which are moveable still have the Acrylic paint still there after many many years, so don't worry about an undercoat. Do like your paintwork, but you should try Vllejo Rust and Steel so your rust isn't a uniform colour as things rust at different rates even if they've been outside in all weathers for the same time, rails and tie plates will be replaced in certain parts when track damage occurs therefore the rust would be pretty new and orangish, Vallejo include instructions on how to use thier paints, and show how to paint new to mid to old rust, looks good too. have a look at some of the Tank modellers rust techniques on thier models.Also good ideas for weathering rolling stock. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYDXmqeOqcehias You can also get oil and grime sets which do add realism to rolling stock also chipping medium as long as you paint red lead on your locos, and then a matt varnish, you can add small drops of chipping medium then overpaint it with your chosen colours allow to dry then just use water and and a brush and dab away at the areas you used the chiping medium. Just a few ideas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn_Ghn1md6Z2hZY You can also use hairspray for chipping kzbin.info/www/bejne/mojYaZWClMenms0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaaXlKKjnbB7gK8

[@marka87]

You can wash the plastic first to remove grease etc which will allow the paint to adhere better

[@JuanGarcia-up2gz]

awesome job keep up the good work

[@jsmoritz2000]

Your backdrop is absolutely stunning, by the way.

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much John!!!

[@jsmoritz2000]

@@JasonJensenTrains No problem. Your work is inspiring. I have an N scale layout and modeling is honestly the funnest part for me. Keep up the great videos.

[@chadm8868]

The Frank and South Manchester will have very little on you when you’re done. It’s just going to be an amazing layout. Stunning work.as always. I need to see you running some trains though! Run them anywhere. A loop on the basement floor maybe. Display some of your locomotives and rolling stock. Do you weather them? How?

[@JasonJensenTrains]

WOW, Thank you so much!!! Trains are coming very soon. I will have videos on weathering rolling stock and engines. Stay tuned!

[@pkilznah5353]

Nice work brah. Hope your channel blows up

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much!!!

[@joepol711]

Im literally watching paint dry! How cool is that?😴

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Thanks for the information I have never painted my tracks I use atlas track brass and nickle silver track

[@Blitz0065]

Great lesson!

[@juliusjames5577]

Takes a big man to admit he runs small equipment. Your track looks great though!

[@sawyerpac9878]

Not bad I would have uesd more of a red and Brown of a wssh.for the rail .and for the ties ,I would use a light Brown with light gray. Your buddy Jerry sawyer.

[@jeff-73]

Damn good video.

[@mhojunction]

Nice work Jason, how would you do 1,200 feet of tracks though?

[@JasonJensenTrains]

With lots of patience, LOL. Thanks for watching!!!

[@paulchamplin8953]

That is an interesting technique but when you install the track doesn't it open up unpainted areas as the rail & ties move?

[@robertelliott44]

How's the layout going ? Want to see more ! It's really cool man ! I really look forward to the updates , want to see some train's rolling through it ! Peace Jason ! 🤟

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Thank you so much for watching!!!

[@gfandwrr1]

How do you add power drops to this beautifully painted track?

[@kennethmay5624]

Have watched this now 3 times..about to start weathering track using your technique....your work is outstanding. What is the dimension of your workbench?

[@brickatmyselfcom]

Jason, I tried your technique on the ties of a sample track and I'm very pleased with the results. It beautifully realistic! I am about to do my entire stock of track using your method and then I'll start to lay it. I'm missing one thing, what are the colors you used to get that great rust on the rails? Thanks, Brick

[@roady1710]

And so after you painted all your truck on your layout that was a 40 by 20 layout with how much track that you had to let me guess two years later the track was all painted

[@alexanderlile8635]

Do you make N-scale kits or sale the dimensions to be use to build any of your kits?

[@joepol711]

How about a mini paint roller using weathering dyes?

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

I'm looking into HO because I want to build a city, and 1:35 would be WAY to big. And theres more options when it comes to buildings and everythimg except cars in HO. I never planned to put a train into it. And now im sure. No train in my city. Lol

[@JasonJensenTrains]

That sounds awesome! I have a loop of track, very simple. I definitely enjoy building structure over running trains but it's nice to have some movement. I think you'll be happy with HO scale. Thanks for watching and happy modeling!!!

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

@@JasonJensenTrains That said, I do have a few cars (as I believe you call them, wagons?) from Märklin, from a fleemarked. Heavily played with and completely ruined (as they should, kids should have fun with toys not think about what the toys could be worth 30 years from now) and I will put those in there. Post apocalyptic wasteland theme. I guess I have to take up painting. Its easy to build a run down building, but your paintwork... Well, I have some buildings, trying to not buy more 1:35 military cars, and now I will have to learn how to paint a old house. But thats great. Something new.

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Well, I just found out how I will be painting all my flex track that is currently still boxed up! Well done, especially adding the additional etching to the ties! I have always wondered as I am up to this point that you don't use an airbrush, I was curious as to why but think after seeing this video and some prior I may have the answer: You have more artistic creativity by hand brushing so not a continuous stream of paint with no variation? Am I correct? I'm no artist but seemed to make sense to me after watching your videos. I would presume could do same with airbrush initially (ie primer) then doing the acrylic touch ups? Trying to learn some art stuff here :) Again well done and I will be doing this method for my flex. BTW - Do you just touch up after you lay the track as far as rails knowing they will slip a tad on curves? This was a great video! Edit - did you wash the track first? Curious. Thx

[@scottpecorino6320]

The "ties" that bind

[@nateshon3eastbroadtoprailr448]

Seems a bit tedious to me but looks great!

[@harlint1233]

Mr. Jensen, I need your help. How can I get in touch with you outside of you tube?

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Just search Jason Jensen Trains on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Messenger.

[@harlint1233]

@@JasonJensenTrains Ok lets try this another way. I do not have any of the stuff you mentioned. Please e-mail me at [e-mail]. I will give you my Phone # at that time. Thank you!

[@harlint1233]

Will you e-mail me?

[@JasonJensenTrains]

Please feel free to ask me questions in the comment section like you have. I will try to help the best I can. I'm self employed and have a wife and two kids, and also run a KZbin channel. So time is very limited but I'll help as much as I can.

[@harlint1233]

@@JasonJensenTrains Ok I get it. Sorry to have bothered you. I will find another way. Love your channel.

[@patrickbashara2159]

What?! No lite avacodo?