Which "Rust" do you like better

Definitely 2nd pic. JohnA

Second picture,  the first one is too red. If you have a basement,  look at the steel  beams holding up your house.  That's the color you DON'T want,  tracks are not only rust covered but also dirty.

Yes. Second picture. Rails are not rusty.  They are brown.

Number 2 wins............Paul 2

Definitely #2, it looks like real track. Some older track may have blotches of orange where it is really rusted, and around bolt holes.

Second definitely.  Rust effects should be understated.  It should give the sense that the rail has been in place for some time, not the sense that the rail is decrepit and in need of replacement.

#2 Looks real

Tom

Photo #2

Jim K

Yes, definitely photo #2! For what it's worth, rail road rails do NOT get "rusty" in service. Replacement rails stacked/laid along the right of way, will turn rusty after many, many months, but the numerous contaminants that come off railroad rolling stock & locomotives, pretty well prevents any & all rails from rusting.

Clearly # 2, But living only 4 miles from the former NYC "Waterlevel Route", now a CSX mainline, most of the rails are very dark grey (almost black) with only hints of rust showing.

Second photo.  Definitely.

I second those that said second pic

#2 but part of me wonders if something in between would look good.

A hit of that oxide red every so often might break it up a bit...

Photo license is creative commons.

Is that ScaleTrax?  Looks very nice.

@modeltrainsparts posted:

Clearly # 2, But living only 4 miles from the former NYC "Waterlevel Route", now a CSX mainline, most of the rails are very dark grey (almost black) with only hints of rust showing.

Yes almost black on these tracks here as well.
Another vote for #2 in Ron’s pics.
Its my understanding color is determined by the steel alloy used. Maybe someone knows more about this and can comment on the material used in the rails and what alloys cause the different colors of the oxidation?

Pete

i think photo # 2  looks sooooooo  much better  That is my vote !!

#2 all the way!

i think photo # 2  looks sooooooo  much better  That is my vote !!

Happy Easter everyone  STAY SAFE !!

Anyone tried the Woodland Scenics rust colored markers for rusting track?

I use Rustoleum camouflage brown for coloring my rails.

Definitely  the second.

@BradFish1 posted:

Anyone tried the Woodland Scenics rust colored markers for rusting track?

Yes.

Do not use the 'rusty rail" marker. It will look like Ron's first photo.

Use the TT 4850  "steel rail" marker.

Second, but I agree with some that a sweet spot might be in between. Maybe 1 part of the first to 4 of the second as a test.

Ron

#2 !!!