How To Make Tinplate Track More Realistic

Рет қаралды 13,058

Күн бұрын

Episode 116: How To Make Tinplate Track Look More Realistic.
As explained in previous videos, Lionel, Marx, K-Line, and other brands of tubular track offer many advantages, including low cost and ease of modification. However, the classic 1920s tinplate look leaves much to be desired for realism.
But never fear! With just a few simple and inexpensive upgrades, this traditional track can be made to look as good as - or even better than - most modern molded plastic track types.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 How to hide the center rail with cheap craft paints
03:15 How to weather (rust color) the outside rails
06:40 Adding ties for realistic appearance - wood, plastic, or rubber?
12:43 How to add ballast to O27 track - Woodland Scenics and other options
20:45 Final Thoughts
22:15 Let's Run Trains!
Toy Train Tips And Tricks is a channel devoted to the operation, repair, history, and collecting of classic 3-rail O and O27 gauge trains made by Lionel, Marx, K-Line, Menards, and other manufacturers.
Keep the trains running!
* As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission on qualified purchases made through this channel.*
My 3d Tie Design: www.thingiverse.com/thing:552...
Other 3d Tie Design: www.thingiverse.com/thing:333...
Woodland Scenics Ballast: amzn.to/3hvmL08
Music:
Vibin’ 53 by Peyruis | / peyruis
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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Visit my page featuring REAL trains: / @thelocomaniacchannel6790
#Lioneltrains #Trainset #Trainrepair #Traincollecting #Ogauge #Oscale #O27 #Postwar #MPC #Accessory #Operating

Пікірлер: 88

@richardstewart4135 Жыл бұрын

Another great video. I have always liked the look of painted and ballasted track and when building a Lionel railroad that was to be permanent. I am in the process of building yet another Lionel layout with my grandson and part of the plan will be to have stained wood ties, painted rail and ballast. Thanks again for the great video as it keeps me motivated to get mine up and running.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. I never ballasted my last layout because I was still making changes to the track plan when I had to dismantle and move it.

@danwoodman5505 Жыл бұрын

I've always preferred hand laying ties and ballast over the plastic stuff. I get more of a feeling of building a railroad.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

The best thing about this hobby is there are so many different ways to do it!

@feathersfeathers2022 Жыл бұрын

Well done and held my interest for the entire video. Thanks

@VB-bk1lh 5 ай бұрын

The center rail is hidden better by painting it the same color as the ballast or sort of camouflaging it with gray and white to break up the straight line and making it blend with the ballast.

@richardnelson-ux1zz Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this video

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@markslioneltrains Жыл бұрын

Looks great.! Always been curious how to do the balast and the glue water mixture.! Cool Video. 😎 Thanks.!

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@henryszubielski8601 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips! A very enjoyable video.

@VB-bk1lh 7 ай бұрын

Back in the 60's my grandfather set up a layout at our house, he used white rolled roofing to make the track bed area, which gave the look of ballast, and he cut wood ties from 1/8" thick produce crates. He then dipped all the cut ties in dark brown dye. The ties were held in place by the track which when screwed down through the strips of sheet roofing became trapped in place. The green areas were done with a mix of paint and fine sawdust applied with a roller directly to the whole sheets of plywood beneath it all. Lakes and streams were made with aluminum foil and tinted clear paint done with an air brush.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks 7 ай бұрын

Very nice! Many layouts were done like this, especially before commercial scenery products became readily available in the 1970s and later.

@VB-bk1lh 7 ай бұрын

I recently began digging out his old trains and track, what I'm finding is that what ever paint or ink he used on the tracks washed right off with a quick dip in rubbing alcohol. I remember him referring to it as 'ink', not paint but it was something he brought home from work at the refinery.@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks 7 ай бұрын

@@VB-bk1lh interesting. I know some who use gun bluing on the center rail.

@RABSTRAINS 7 ай бұрын

Very educational, thank you!

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks 7 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@scaleyardmarine 5 ай бұрын

Brilliant

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks 5 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@joeystrains.9316 Жыл бұрын

Great results. Finished track looks nice.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!!

@jackcurran1122 8 ай бұрын

Try cutting popsicle sticks up for ties also, soak them in clothing dye to color them

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks 8 ай бұрын

Interesting idea! Thanks for sharing!

@stormshadow5555 Жыл бұрын

If you're going to go to all that trouble, you might as well put down a cork roadbed too!

@amblealong4581 Жыл бұрын

Looks nice! You're far more patient than me. Thanks for the tips!

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@modelrailpreservation Жыл бұрын

Ever notice with old Marx O-27 track, with the end ties set inboard a bit from the ends of the rails, if you put one intermediate tie between the center and end tie, total of five ties per section, when you join them, the tie spacing looks pretty even?

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Yes, but when mixed with Lionel I add even more - and with the inset ends there's enough room to add one more tie on each end. Thanks for watching!

@johnpontin9276 Жыл бұрын

Great video thx

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@chasesrailwaylinesrr6447 Жыл бұрын

I bet if there wasn't a center rail it would look really realistic looks great!

@ronalddevine9587 Жыл бұрын

I agree that the center rail isn't widely used here in the USA, but several years ago I discovered that the London Underground uses the centre rail quite extensively.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

There's a prototype for everything!

@ronalddevine9587 Жыл бұрын

@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Indeed!

@momatmach1 Жыл бұрын

The London Underground is a four rail system, there is a centre rail and also one to the side of the track.

@Engine1988 7 ай бұрын

I like to use a mix of tuscan red and black to make my rust.

@mycrazygrandpa Жыл бұрын

I found out that Gargraves uses a black oxide process on their center rails so as to be electrically conductive, is this something you may try on a later experiment? Hopefully you will and we can all benefit, great tip!

@user-if4qg2cg7s 6 ай бұрын

I agree it does look better

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks 6 ай бұрын

👍

@georgebenson6036 Жыл бұрын

Great video as always. I have seen some people lay a strip of N scale cork roadbed along the outside of the ties with the sloped side facing out. That helps to trap the ballast inside the track. Also, I wish you would have given us a brand name on the craft paint you used.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

It's the generic tempura paint from Walmart/Hobby Lobby/Michaels.

@Burmn Жыл бұрын

I switched to gargraves, and did the same on the sides of the rail but with markers. Came out nice

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Gargraves is nice track!

@monstersbrandsparkplugz7151 Жыл бұрын

I get a cheap bag of play sand spread it out on top of the track bed then go over it with the ballast. It’s a good filler and my ballast goes a long way.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

That's a great idea!

@michaelashley9354 Жыл бұрын

I like your show I got two ways to catch up

@BAKU2K2 Жыл бұрын

Have you ever had any experience with Lionel's "Super-O" track? It's basically a predecessor to their current "FasTrack."

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

I do not have any Super O, but I have seen it. It's very hard to find since it hasn't been made since the 1960s. It has very realistic ties and a thin metal strip as the center rail. (You can start an argument with Postwar operators over whether the strip wears out pickup rollers faster than the standard rail.) Turnouts were very finicky as well. FasTrack is actually a totally different animal that came along 4 decades later.

@lonnievickerman1990 Жыл бұрын

Ties would help the look. I did that also.

@djjuego123 Жыл бұрын

Awesome! What do you for area around switches?

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

I leave turnouts and other pieces with built-in bases alone to prevent getting ballast in the points and to make removal for maintenance easier.

@plunkervillerr1529 Жыл бұрын

My main interest is to have a tight clean electrical connection . Still plunking along .

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

I went through the whole ballast glue cork Road bed thing with my HO trains. I prefer Mike's train house track with the road bed included. Since the track is brass it will not rust. I prefer the early solid rail track to the late model template style track because I find template in my book to be cheap all the scale rails use solid rail like the Prototype. Plus if you're going to have anything bigger than a 4x8 layout you're going to have to have a lot of terminal feeders because there's lots of resistance in the old style track with all the connections. I had an outdoor layout with old Lionel track and new Lionel track and in a year the new Lionel track turn black and then crumbled away and I had to replace it all with American made track. Of course I will use the old style track for your trackage and for siding.

@Johns0gaugeAndH0trains Жыл бұрын

Another good video. I have FastTrack, which is ok, but a little too plastic-looking. I finally took a chance and painted the outer rails, lightly weathered the plastic roadbed and ties, and added a little gravel ballast in spots. It's probably the single thing that most improved the look of the railroad.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Sounds great!

@user-de2wc6os7g 8 ай бұрын

There arer many options for ballast. I'll probably use pumice. Have you ever tried cat litter?

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks 8 ай бұрын

No. 1) Never had a cat. 2) The pieces look too big to me.

@IndianaNorthWestern Жыл бұрын

For the glue mixture I just use a squeeze condiment bottle, and if it doesn't soak in quickly or much at all because the finer ballast is a pain, I just drop some 91% isopropyl onto the stubborn areas and the next day everything is great

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Great tip!

@richardnelson-ux1zz Жыл бұрын

What type of paint do you use acrylic testers model glue rustolium or krylon metal paint

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

I actually use cheap, generic poster paints on the track. Works fine.

@ThomasBieschke Жыл бұрын

I have a couple Lionel locomotives that spark a lot when in use. I had both clean and lubed by a Lionel authorized dealer. I clean the track and still have same issue with sparking. I was told to not use the old track to buy new track. Is there anything you could suggest for me to try? thank you.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

A few things: 1) They all spark a little. 2) What are you cleaning your track with? If you're using an abrasive of any kind, you are putting microscopic pits in the rails that trap dirt. The best I have found is a two step process - wipe down the rails with mineral spirits, then add a light coating of CRC cleaner, which will clean, improve contact, and convert and prevent rust. Many modelers in the scale world use NO-OX instead of CRC, but it doesn't play well with traction tires. After the above treatment, I find just wiping with a clean, dry cloth when needed works fine for months.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

If the problem is only certain locomotives, I would check to make sure the inside contacts are clean on the motor and E units.

@ThomasBieschke Жыл бұрын

It is both locomotives. I was also told to use rubbing alcohol and soft cloth. the Lionel set was purchased back in 1961 by my dad a few days after I was born to set up around the Christmas tree. it has sentimental value and would like to pass along to my son or daughter.

@ThomasBieschke Жыл бұрын

I will give this method a try. Thank you.@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks

@jblackacre2325 Жыл бұрын

Hi Mike, I really look forward to your videos. I was just trying to download your ties from thingiverse and received a 404 not found response. Would you be willing to check or share the link again please?

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Hmmm. I will check the problem. Thanks!

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Funny. It looks like ALL of my files are missing from Thingiverse! Here's the link on Tinkercad www.tinkercad.com/things/5gptXynHAte?sharecode=1uyGtj8fnNhPY7dvuPf-PQuaAxCm96-4a6kcW_Xy-74

@jblackacre2325 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir! Fwiw, I've had similar problems with my own creations on thingiverse.

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

Since my old gauge trains include subway trains as well as running electrics with the pantographs down just like the New Haven ep 5 had 3rd rail shoes when they were in New York Central territory. When my uncle took me to the Long Island Railroad they were signs everywhere saying Beware of the third rail. I can accept the rail being in the middle instead of on the outside because I am not going to go to outside third rail and nobody has made stuff for outside third rail since World War II.

@JL-pc9sl Жыл бұрын

Nice video and great ideas...only question i have is why the huge gap between the sections of track. You should not be able to see any part of the pin that connects them. Not only can this cause electrical problems but the noise and running problems it can create are BAD!!! Not to mention it just looks like BAD!!!

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Well, here's the situation. When the track was laid in the Spring, the gap was closed. But the 40" straight on the right sits directly under an HVAC vent. In the summer, the repeated blasts of cold air causes the steel rail to contract, opening the joint. In the winter, repeated blasts of hot air makes the rail expand, closes the gap, AND pushes the unsecured rail on the left slightly out of gauge. Things return to normal in spring and fall.

@TheScottab 5 ай бұрын

I was wondering also, now I know. @@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks

@lonnievickerman1990 Жыл бұрын

Is it really worth all that trouble ? They are toy trains, I have attempted this project back in the mid 70's.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

It depends. If you like the classic tinplate look, that's perfectly fine. If you want a bit more realism (as much as 3 rail allows), this is an option. Rule #1 is your railroad - your rules. Thanks for watching and commenting!

@michaelashley9354 Жыл бұрын

My Lionel train is 70 ft around and not including two sightings it would take me forever

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

You can do a small section at a time.

@markcopeland4344 Жыл бұрын

Mike get you a makeup brush works better than a paint brush not as stiff.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Good idea!

@Cbtrainnut Жыл бұрын

Impossible to make 3 rail track look realistic. Like putting lipstick on a pig. It’s still a pig. Just an S Scalers opinion. But a really nice video.

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :-) Thanks for the video comment!

@robertnielsen2461 9 ай бұрын

This discussion started in 46 when Gilbert introduced S gauge and it still is going on,some things are just to much fun to let go of!

@Cbtrainnut 9 ай бұрын

@@robertnielsen2461 I agree lol

@roge69charger Жыл бұрын

The Fast track doesn't look as realistic at all to your 027 track Fast track reminds me of the racing car track I recall Decades ago

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@jimyeetast9335 Жыл бұрын

Just switch to ho at this point if your going for realism and let the kids play with your o gauge

@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Жыл бұрын

Lionel suggested this in their own Model Builder magazine in the 1930s, so I'm okay. ;-) photos.app.goo.gl/6W7CtmgB2LsqaaaF8