Weathering Lionel Fastrack

I use a similar technique. I like smaller ballast as it seems to blend better. I don't bother with the top between the ties. It doesn't seem worth the effort. You can see more on my Blog:

http://railfanx.blogspot.com/2.../scenery-update.html

http://railfanx.blogspot.com/2...ore-branch-line.html

Jonnyspeed, It really look good! I plan built new layout next year and want use what u did!

Johnnyspeed, that looks excellent.  IMHO the smaller ballast is the way to go, the traditional O scale stuff always seemed too big to me.

I used a blend of Woodland Scenics light gray and grey coarse ballast. I still need to paint the rails and I want to "dirty" between the rails with weathering powder/chalks.

Surefire

I'm playing with the same type project. I have experimented with a ink wash one coat the another with two coats then with no ink wash attempting to get the track a little darker. I then used testers rust colored paint pens. I have also fooled with ballast. I bought roof grannuals in white, gray and slate. I have also mixed some dark gray woodland scenic with some of those to see if I liked either. I'm still in the process of figuring out the one appearance I like. Have not got there yet. And that's what it comes down to , whatever you think looks best.

Larry

And if you have time to do a search there is some good discussions on this subject

Before you guys paint the rails do you clean them with anything?  i found that when i would try to paint the rails i had a hard time with the paint sticking to the metal and causing me to have to do multiple coats.

Salvagni

The only problem I had was after the good edge was worn down on the marker it would not fit into the side rails, so I used a new one. And, I did go back over a few areas I missed. Never cleaned it before I started. About 200 + feet. I only did the outside rails. I did not do the center rail.

In response to Salvagni question regarding cleaning the rail prior to painting, I did nothing beyond the normal cleaning with denatured alcohol.  For paint I used Joe's Model Trains Dark Brown Rusty Rails paint. http://www.joesmodeltrains.com...at_acrylic_paint.htm

Cleans off the top of the rail easily with denatured alcohol and clings to the Fastrack pretty well.  I tried using their painter device, but couldn't get it to work very well and ended up brushing it on the rails.  End product looks a lot like Surefire's pictures above.

I would suggest not painting the center rail.  I only painted the sides of the outer rails after experimenting with painting all 3 rails.  In my opinion, your eyes are drawn to the painted rails versus the unpainted one.  The unpainted center rail blends more into the background.

I agree. Since the rails are shiny, you actually get a reflection of the ties which helps hide it a bit. I actually prefer it to the solid black line when using MTH ScaleTrax.

There was actually a really good article on this very subject called, "Enhancing the Realism of Lionel FasTrack," by Jim Apitz.  It is in OGR's Run #234, February/March 2009 edition.  Matt

Unfortunately that issue is not online in the digital library, you could call OGR as see if its available as a back issue

Salvagni

I tried to scan it for you. Don't know how it will work, never tried this before. And, I hope I'm not breaking a rule as well.

Larry

Salvagni

If you click on the image, once it's open, right click and select view image then you can zoom to larger print.

All very good suggestions. It does look better leaving the center rail unpainted. I used Brennans ballast. The mix of colors helps the look and shows more definition.

Ray Marion