Make your 50 year old track look expensive!!

I needed a test track to run my Lionel and American Flyer on. Follow along for making the track look better, Soldering hints and tricks, and painting idea's.
#classicmodeltrains
#lioneltrains
#americanflyertrains
E-mail me at: [e-mail]
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Mailing Address: Classic Model Trains
1507 Old Hardin Road
Billings, Mt. 59101
@classicmodeltrains
My second channel mentioned link below.
@RonsClassicRVs

[@cudathehawgjetfixer7520]

You always have a positive attitude when doing your videos, even if your having a bad experience doing something you always show a positive light, keep it up I'm enjoying your shows and tips on how to have fun doing some of the most remedial tasks of modeling but then show the great outcome of the hard work!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

I appreciate that!

[@jackseamon7064]

Hahaha! Nothing better than learning a Norwegian trick from a German fellow! I like to watch what you do, but listening is great too!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Jack

[@callmebigpapa]

Looks great, thanks for sharing

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching

[@albertbaker4864]

Ron ,you do amazing things most of us would never think doing with model trains. I hope you keep up your You Tube channel You have gotten me up out of the armchair and I am building trains again! Thank You!

[@classicmodeltrains]

I'm glad I could inspire you once again Albert. Thank you!

[@w.rustylane5650]

I hand painted every tie on all my 027 track with a brown color. Then I added rust paint to the rails and used 0000 steel wool on the top of all the rails. Took a long time but it really looks real. After watching videos on Benz Trainz, I now run all my Lionel trains on DC. I always thought that they were AC only, but I was very wrong. They actually run better on DC than AC. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

[@classicmodeltrains]

WOW! A lot of time and dedication you put into your rails. They must look awesome!! Lookin to me like you must be on the first "internet"

[@firefly0282]

Thats a pretty neat idea with the wooden ties. I never in all my years would have thought of that. Its a neat look .

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks

[@MattTheLizard]

This is a great project.

[@classicmodeltrains]

thank you Matt

[@bernardc2553]

SUPER DOOPER Groovy Man! 😂

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-)

[@MygrandpasTrain]

That looks like a good alternative to using rattle can paint on those ties

[@classicmodeltrains]

A little slower, but alot cheaper!

[@johnramirez5996]

Touch up the factory ties with the paint you soaked wood ties in. Perfect.

[@classicmodeltrains]

That would be a great idea. a lot more work, that's for sure :-)

[@gregblalock549]

Great video Ron keep them coming.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks, will do!

[@henryszubielski8601]

Very cool! You did a great job with this tutorial. Thanks

[@classicmodeltrains]

You're very welcome!

[@josephschuster1494]

I’ve always wanted to do this with my tinplate American Flyer track…now I know how. Thanks again, Ron!! 🚂

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad to help out Joseph!

[@FreedomSquareGardenRailway]

wow that’s amazing this is going to come in handy so when I expand my outdoor railroad empire. hopefully I can lasso some people up to help me get it done Tom Sawyer Style

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! Good luck on "white washing that fence" :-)

[@Xtream__Attitude]

Great video as always :) can't wait to see these running

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you like them!

[@13thBear]

Excellent video and subject, Ron. I do enjoy your entertaining style and simplicity. Model railroading is fun but too many guys make it difficult, like a regular job. Drive on, buddy, and hi ball!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Many thanks!

[@Hyrev1]

Fantastic job Ron! Thanks for sharing the project. Really interesting video to watch!👍👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for commenting Jim!

[@4everdc302]

A great way to keep this classic track. If I'm painting ties that I want a newer look. I use auto header paint. Covers instantly&looks like creosote🙋🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

cool idea 4ever! thanks for sharing

[@fernandomurillo9272]

Awesome job great look

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!!

[@matthewwood4983]

Watched part 1 and 2 on lionel F3A units you did. I have those engines. The Texas Special was in need of some TLC, my brother told me of and your humorous videos and he was right. Anyhow went thru the Texas Special 0 gauge locomotive and finished up this evening thru test and the thing just runs great. My aviation background and dad's electronics skills all added to doing the "overhaul" short of new parts... Most everything just needed cleaning and lubrication tidied up wiring and laced the harness' looks great runs even better, so ready for the Christmas tree 🎄.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Right on! Thanks for watching, Thanks to your Brother for referring my channel to you, and I'm Glad you & Your Dad got that Classic up and running the rails again!

[@matthewwood4983]

Maybe headed to Buffalo Wyoming next spring. Any chance I may stop by and visit your location.....? Been into model trains all my life and use to ride the rails in my hometown as a kid....

[@classicmodeltrains]

@@matthewwood4983 we can definitely talk. Channel has a FB page. You can message me there.

[@matthewwood4983]

@@classicmodeltrains Sounds good I'll stay in touch. Thank you.

[@matthewwood4983]

So the Texas Special runs another Christmas 2022. She runs very well .... !!!! Thought you might enjoy the results of the maintenance she got this year, probably in a number of years.... Thank you on the tutorial Ron...!!!!

[@GarrettTaylorLeedy]

Looks really awesome man I hope everything goes well with testing the locomotives in the race cars some of those trains I do have in my collection some I don't have it looks like you're going to have a good time test running all those engines and freight cars

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks K.V.M.RR. I do have a lot here to keep me busy :-)

[@RayBoebel]

Awesome video Ron!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks For stopping by Ray!

[@regisbraga3833]

Fantastic work Ron! Kudos! Looking forward to see the tracks in operation: good luck with the transformer.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Regis!!

[@curt4271]

There nothing better than learning an old Norwegian trick from a German guy! great work as always Ron! :)

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Bud!

[@dannyjones3840]

"I'm gonna carefully measure out" 😂😂😂😂😂

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-D

[@_mdh_1998]

Amazing outcome on such a cool corner of railroading. And as always a amazing video again Ron! I used to do Lionel postwar and all the things associated. Built a dealer inspired layout on a 4x4 plywood sheet, had a KW and a 2046, 675, and still got the 2023 Alco AA set. Would love to get the passenger cars for it but are super hard to come by, it was known as the Lionel 50th anniversary set. Would love to see them used again, I bought them about 10 years ago. We have a toy train club here in California called TTOS (Toy Train Operators Society) or “TeeToss” as we nicknamed it. They have meets and shows, and is a great crowd to be with. They occasionally have HO stuff but most people do O and S as well as Hi-Rail and some standard gauge and other interesting things. I’m glad to see you go down the rabbit hole of toy trains. It gets addicting. I just helped my friend move and he and his father collected tons of O gauge and standard gauge as well as AF S scale. I got a ton I’ll have to sell off from what he couldn’t bring with him. Looking forward to more videos in this series!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for you kind words and a great story Marc!

[@jebbohanan2626]

I may just start O and S scale renovations myself! Very inspiring!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Jeb

[@johnbanicki7232]

Another great video. This definitely makes the track look much better. Looking forward to the transformer rebuild. I have one sitting in the basement that needs to be redone. Great timing!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John

[@stllines261]

Great ideas and thank you for sharing them! I never considered coloring wooden ties like that, but seems to work just fine.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@caboosech]

Great job on the video there enjoyed it

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks 👍

[@bradwb6192]

Was starting to get concerned about you 😉. Had me in stitches most of the way through 🤣🤣. Love your results. Looks great!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Brad. Weather cooled off so I've been busy in the yard and fixing things. Time got away from me. Wish I had my energy from when I was 40. :-)

[@SleeperBBQ]

TY

[@classicmodeltrains]

Welcome :-)

[@stevesoscaletrainchannel.1901]

Great tips and how to improve track appearance..

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you liked it!

[@dwightbernheimer331]

The only thing I would have done differently I would have done the Black First... Good stuff thanks for posting...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching!

[@dwightbernheimer331]

@@classicmodeltrains Thanks for the video...👍

[@ronaldsnell1503]

Awesome!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@MarkWick]

I used balsa strips to add ties to my American flyer track all around my layout. I went for the most realistic look I could get, so selected thin strips and added seven ties between each of the metal ties. It took me months but after ballasting with beach sand, it looks great.

[@classicmodeltrains]

WOW! sounds like a lot of work was put into your track work! Sand for ballast. I like the way you think!!

[@raysrails2164]

O ya great ideas!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you like them!

[@thelazyfishkeeper2730]

some go stuff stay well

[@classicmodeltrains]

Same to you Sir

[@arthurleino]

Good video. I have old American Flyer and Newer Lionel trains. No room for permanent layouts. But would do this if I did.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Arthur. I hope one day you get your layout!!

[@tracksidemike]

Nice opening Ron love it great energy brother let her rip 👍🏻👍🏻

[@tracksidemike]

Hey I like that Technique works pretty well. Three sparks and the soaking in the bucket. Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦🚂🥓👍🏻👍🏻

[@brentpodoll5848]

Greetings from North Dakota. Liked yur opening. But surprised you drove up in a chevy. If yur a Mopar man

[@brentpodoll5848]

Just giving you a hard time. Love watching your channel. It's great keep up the good work

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks 👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

you betcha

[@cathrynm]

Nice video. Our layout is tubular, and I'm looking for videos on how to make it look a little better. The ties like this are a nice touch.

[@cathrynm]

Kind of like the look of painted ballast, looking for something that's maybe a little more than just track on plywood, but simpler.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Greetings Cathryn, Thanks for watching & commenting. I just built this as a test track. It would be moved around a lot and I feared that normal ballasting techniques would flex and break off. I just came up with the idea as a "faux" ballast look. Good luck with your S gauge layout! Hope you find a great looking way to make the track look nice :-)

[@ronstrainsandmore]

Great video as always! I've watched all your videos at least twice your doin some excellent Vintage Model train videos! Can you do a video tour of your Tyco ho collection?

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for all your support and kind words Ron. A Tyco tour is certainly in the pipe line!

[@ronstrainsandmore]

@@classicmodeltrains very cool I'll certainly look forward to that TYCO tour! I like the American Flyer also I've never had s gauge Flyer recently I've found some and been watching videos on em there pretty neat I like the smoke and choo choo on flyer trains just awesome been thinking of setting up an American Flyer Train set running with my TYCO Trains on the same layout would be awesome!

[@ecidaho]

Great video!! If you bulk created those ties you could sell them and make money to subsidize more train purchases! They looked great!!!

[@FreedomSquareGardenRailway]

maquiladoras can start manufacturing them for you

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks EC. I don't think I have the time to manufacture things. I need more people :-)

[@ecidaho]

@@classicmodeltrains Maybe your dogs can lend a paw!

[@theplumber33]

That's sweet brother! I'm ho scale. But I'm intrigued by s scale!

[@classicmodeltrains]

You and me both!

[@joesask857]

nice

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!!

[@DennisMurphey]

Wonderful video, I just happened on here and was blown away. Very creative, easy to see how and the result was just great. I am a S gauge nutter. Since 1957 when Dad got me a 283 for Christmas. Today in retirement I have been using my work experience to upgrade my old trains. I will very much like to send you a few things for you try out and test for me. I also applied them to Flyer S Gauge the PreWar Flyer O Gauge and they work just fine. If you are willing and interested let me know. I think you will like the results. Dennis on You Tune at Frankentrain Laboratories. Really like the test run. I may build one too. I using let them fly around my 15 X 30 Oval for 2 hous with as many cars as they can pull. I am working on a dyno testor but then thought a Tractor Pull Sled for Trains might be more fun. My 336 Flyer could get full pulls if the rubber traction tire stays on! All the Best fellow Train Guy. Great video.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Dennis. I have a warm spot in my heart for S gauge flyer stuff. would love to build a good sized layout for them. Reach out to me on my Facebook fan page "classic model trains" and we can chat up what your wanting to do. I also would love to figure out how to make a weight sled for testing loco's

[@henryostman5740]

Interesting that the S gauge rail is just as high as the O gauge, I suspect that American Flyer used its previous rail machines when they made O gauge trains just putting them on shorter ties. I had an AF trainset in O gauge but clearly it was made to S scale but it was three rail O gauge and ran with my Lionel stuff, always looked a little small. Since real ties usually aren't black and rail isn't silver, you might consider spraying the track with a rust colored auto paint and sand the tops down, make it way less noticeable, maybe?

[@classicmodeltrains]

The S gauge is actually taller than O-27. 3/8" compared to 1/8". I considered painting the rails, but was running outa production time. perhaps when I build an actual layout for the O and S stuff I shall take the time and paint em up. Thanks for commenting Henry :-)

[@jimstahlheber9002]

I understand for demonstration purposes the buss and drop setup but man that is overkill for that run.

[@classicmodeltrains]

For DC its just right. I now know O gauge AC power "flows" a bit better than the H.O. DC stuff. I was not sure of the pin sockets for the connectors if they were rusted or not so I over engineered it.

[@genemanno1533]

Even easier/cheaper/less time use popsicle sticks two tie to each stick. No saw needed side cutters to snip off round ends and snip them in half. Bravo two ties. Same stain as posted here. I used min wax stain, and only 1 minute in and set out and dab with paper towel excess dry. A hour later ready to use.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sounds like another great idea!

[@firefly0282]

I cant wait to see the zw transformer rebuild.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Producing it as I'm typing this out

[@johnsadventures6783]

I don't know if you have Menards stores out there, but my local one has been carrying o and ho cars and accessories. They are reasonably priced.

[@classicmodeltrains]

None close to me unfortunately

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great video, can't help but see your yard fence and there's no train layout running along it. Maybe you can run a track along the fence like I have, it's great fun. Thanks...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks again Caseyville. Ive though about outside track but the rust issue gives me pause. That fence is 280 feet long. It would make a great track space though!

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Well come on over to my channel and view the yard layout, all the back drops hinge down to cover the tracks as long as its out of the rain its good. 6 years outside as of last month. Some of my first videos show how i cover it up, running 135' ...

[@davefield5538]

Hey Ron, just want to tell you how you make getting back into my O27 so much easier. Got transformers that need rebuilding so gonna watch ur next entertaining vid. Will you be adding sound to a loco in a vid ?

[@classicmodeltrains]

The video I'm putting together right now won't need any extra sound put to it. These Lionel F-3's Have a nickname.... referred to as "growlers". Glad your pulling out your O-27 and blowing the dust off them :-)

[@Machia52612]

A bit wide but pretty good!🚂

[@classicmodeltrains]

helps out a bit it does

[@greglivo]

The different colored ties from Lionel are from different eras. The postwar ties were black, then in the 70's they changed to a simulated wood color.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I sorta figured the tie colors represented time periods. Thanks for the info!

[@101495J]

I appreciate your work and enthusiasm but in my opinion the track would look better by just ballasting the track without the ugly wide ties. I’ve experimented with AF Track and found the easiest and best looking way to make the track look good is ballast the track then slide wooden coffee stirs cut to size and slide them under the track to make a much better looking result. If you wish stain the wooden stirs for an even better look. May not work on Lionel three track but the ties you cut can most likely be cut considerably narrower like GarGrave ties for a better look.

[@classicmodeltrains]

You make good points. I did not want to ballast this because it's a test track that's moved around quite a bit. I believe the flexing would break off the ballast. If it was a permanent rig, I would ballast it for the final icing on the cake :-)

[@FreedomSquareGardenRailway]

Please build TYCO zombie trains that you can just snap a couple of dry cell battery’s to a car behind it and make it run just by flipping the switch on like a little toy train that they sell off the store. Dead rail TYCO - please add😊 that to your bucket list oh great artist. I can then build them for those poor kids in refugee camps. I love TYCOS WITHOUT BORDERS concept you inspired.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Battery powered Tyco. Sounds do-able!

[@johnramirez5996]

Tried something like that before. Less is more. Less water. Is better color.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I agree

[@jackkerouac6186]

Coffee grounds would stain the ties also

[@classicmodeltrains]

I've heard of that technique. Will have to try it soon

[@mikebeaver8247]

Bob Ross would be impressed with your painting techniques. dose your mother know your using her pink tools. But with all due respect, you got a lot of talent nice work

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! I paint my tools pink so they don’t grow legs and walk away at the club. Most fellers won’t steal pink tools ;-)

[@kennethcapps3696]

Question: Why not solder wires in the gaps in the bottom of the tracks instead of the sides? I am new and just starting out, so this is not a nit picky questions. I am just trying to improve my knowledge.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Ken, Thanks for commenting. I guy could solder in the "drops" to the bottom of the rail, but you would have to do it before the track gets nailed down, and of course have the holes pre-drilled and located properly. It can certainly be done both ways. Welcome to model railroading!! I hope your journey is an exciting one :-)

[@mineolahome5243]

Does anyone know where I can get some old O gauge Lionel trains repaired on NY's LI.??? The guy in Freeport does not do repairs anymore. Thanks.

[@classicmodeltrains]

.

[@brianhanson3347]

🇺🇲👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-)

[@sharpenflat6002]

Hi Ron, What is the objective of the drop lines? Thanks.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Since this is my test track I want to make sure I have really good power. The track connector pins can get corroded over time, causing resistance to continuity. By soldering in all the drops to every other piece of track, and having a common buss line, that will eliminate track pin resistance. It's a bit of overkill for AC powered stuff, but its a must do if your running DCC powered stuff.

[@sharpenflat6002]

@@classicmodeltrains Thanks again for reply.

[@loveoldmovies]

The best way to improve these toy train legacy track systems is to abandon them in favor of a more realistic system. But that goes to a basic question: are you a toy train operator or a scale model railroader? If you like a toy train track system you are a toy train guy.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I don't want to put model railroaders in a box. I agree the fancy new o gauge track is really nice. The legacy track is cheap and plentiful. I'm not gunna call anybody a toy train guy or a scale model railroader. I wanna call them all Friend.

[@jerrycasper4012]

Umm....how the HECK do you have the room to store that long a test track? I made an O / S / G gauge on a 6 foot module myself. Yours looks like 10 or 12 foot long. Wow.

[@classicmodeltrains]

It's 12 feet long. I store it in my 15 foot deep shed. I can only use it outside because it won't fit anywhere else. Tiny House living has some drawbacks :-)