Painted and weathered Atlas O Track. Looking for pics and info!

Check out OGR issue "Run 244" from August/September 2010, Also the OGR Great Layout Adventures Volume 8. Our whole layout is Atlas O track, and everything is weathered, i.e. track, structures, locomotives, and rolling stock. I spray painted all the track with a RustOleum "Charcoal Green", which is no longer produced, however they now offer some sort of a "camo" color which might work just as well. 

The reason I went with that "Charcoal Green" color is, I model in the steam era (late 1940s thru mid 1950s), which is pretty much before extensive use of roller bearings on all freight cars. The journal oil used to lubricate the old plain bearing axle bearings, was a dark green color, and as it leaked out of all the freight car journals, it tended to coat the sides of the rails a "weathered charcoal green".

i like the look of atlas O track right out of the box...

Jim Berger posted:

i like the look of atlas O track right out of the box...

Except THAT is not what the original poster is enquiring about! If one is trying to model a prototypical railroad, from a specific era, then the track should be weathered SOMEHOW in order to represent the real railroad. Real railroad rails are NOT shiny bright nickel silver!

Here are two pictures of weathered Atlas O track. This is "main line".

• Airbrush ties using a 1:1 mixture if MicroLux Rail Brown and Rust.
• Airbrush rails and tie plates MicroLux Rust. OK if there is over spray onto ties.
• Hand brush gray weathering chalk on ties. This affect does't really show up well in these photos, but it gives the ties a faded look.
• Clean tops of rails to remove paint.
• Ballast track using Woodland Scenics Coarse Gray Blend B1395.

I don't have a pix, but here's a tip you might want to try.  Before you start clean the top of your rails.  Then put a very little bit of Vaseline on your finger and lightly wipe the top of the rails (JUST THE TOPS).  Then do your spray coloring, rattle can or air brush.  When DRY, lightly wipe the rail top with a rag and you'll be ready to rock and roll.  Sure beats trying to 'scrub' off the paint!   

P.S. this method works for when you glue down the ballast as well.  Vaseline the rails then do your white glue or whatever, when dry, wipe with a rag.  Russ

This is a video of code 148 atlas two rail.

I have used a combination of Joey Ricard and Dennis Brennen's methods.  I like the results. Some say the rust color is not proto-typical but if you look at short lines in my area they are and I love the look. Also colored the ballast too. Part of the method is to spray paint the track first to tone down the plastic sheen. I have done a combination of both Joey and Dennis. They both look great. Also used Dennis' method of weathering the ballast. Here is a pic of the result. I am not an artist at all ...so if you have better talent then me you can make either of these methods look great....good luck!!!

That looks good, Joe.

I like the way the rust is leeching down on to the ties.

Thanks Max....I not great at photography either.....the rails are more rust colored then the pic shows...not sure why the ties show it more....but thank you for the compliment...love your work....

Rust color (HUMBROL) on the sides of the rails with a little brush; at this time I didn't know the felt-tip pen from WSCENIC!

Top of the rails cleaned with thinner and for the maintenance, ordinary pupil eraser!

Old ROCO track with 2 m radius switches.

The ballast is from a disappeared brand here (crushed real gravel).

Hello Max, how are you?

jpv in France

It looks great, JP.

I'm fine thanks.  No modelling at the moment, due to a kitchen makeover. 

WOW!!!!

Amazing stuff so far guys!!! I really appreciate the pictures and tips so far, I already have a few ideas locked in. Cant wait to see more!!!

Thanks, Max!

Hope that GREG773 will now make wonderful tracks and ballast.

jpv in France

I used Testor's rust color on rails, clips that hold rails together, and Testor's Railroad tie brown paint on ties.