lol, easy is a relative term, it can get very complicated

We absolutely agree! Happy modeling!

thanks guys

These guys are just straight vibing 👌

how'd it go?

Great! Glad you are back modeling happily! :-)

Glad it was helpful!

Those are our Track Painter Pens. They can work on any scale of track, plastic and metal.

Greetings! Dried paint on top of the rails will interfere with electrical conductivity and should be removed before operating your train.

exactly always go by scale for your ballast. Z and N use Fine Grade, HO use Medium, and O, S, G, and TT use Coarse

We used a dry brush to help spread the ballast. We recommending cleaning the tracks and ties of excess glue with our Tidy Track Rail Tracker.

+CEZAR ROBERT We laid our Track Bed underneath the track and attached it using Scenic Cement™. Track-Bed is sound-deadenin material that cushions vibrations for a smoother operation, is higher quality, and a low-cost alternative to other rail beds. It is compatible with cork, remains flexible, requires no pre-soaking and will not dry out or crumble. Good luck to you as you lay track!

Rohan Halle They are called Track Painters, and are part of the Tidy Track Rail and Wheel Maintenance System. Here are the links, so you can find out more information about them. Thanks for your interest! Weathered Tie woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/TT4582/page/1 Steel Rail woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/TT4580/page/1 Rusty Rail woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/TT4581/page/1

You can add a thin layer of Ballast to this kind of track. Scenic Cement will work to attach the Ballast on the flat area between the rails and ties. However, the Ballast will not stick very easily on the slanted sides using Scenic Cement. For the sides, use a dilution of approximately 75% Foam Tack Glue to 25% water and brush it on.

We have several products that may help re-create this look. You can see pictures of these products on our website that may help you determine which would fit your color palette the best. We suggest trying: Fine Talus in Gray (C1278), Buff (C1270), or Brown (C1274) | Gravel (C1286/C1287) | Static Grass -Burnt (FL633) | Field Grass (FG171-FG174) | Coarse Turf (T60-T65) | Fine Turf Earth Blend (T50/T1350)

railroadpics _ Hello! Ballast is offered in three different sizes, Fine, Medium and Coarse. Any of the 3 sizes will work with your HO Layout depending upon your personal preference as to which one you chose. In this video we have usedthe Gray Medium (B1382) mixed with a little of the Gray Fine (B1375). When you pull up the product page you will see coverage and scale charts. At the end of the video we are using our Rail Tracker Cleaning Kit TT4550. Quick links for your convenience: Gray Ballast: @1 Rail Tracker Cleaning Kit: @1 Hope this helps!

Thanx so much!

+Darren Best We would recommend letting the glue dry before applying the soil. If you use the wet Ballast glue to adhere the soil it will not look realistic because the wet glue will be on all sides of the Ballast pieces and the soil will cover the Ballast rather than falling realistically into the cracks and crevices of the particles. Hopefully this helps! Good luck!

That was one of our Track Painter pens! The link below will take you to a place on our website where you can find them in three colors. woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TTTWMS?perPage=1900

Hi...we are going to make an assumption that you may be spraying the Scenic Cement too closely and/or with too much force. To apply Scenic Cement, we suggest first misting the Ballast lightly with the Scenic Sprayer. Scenic Cement contains a wetting agent and misting on a light coat of the adhesive will help break the surface tension. Then, saturate the Ballast with Scenic Cement for a strong bond. You may apply it with an eye dropper or the Scenic Sprayer. When applying, keep the sprayer and/or dye dropper a couple of inches above the Ballast to help to keep it from being moved around. Hope this helps. If not, please drop us an email at sales@woodlandscenics and let them know you are the modeler from KZfaq having trouble with his Ballast moving around and clumping. We'll help get this solved. Thanks!

We are experts at modeling scenery and we can advise how to ballast track; however, when it comes to switches, we prefer to defer to model railroad experts. Because of their moving parts, ballasting around switches can be very tricky and we recommend you seek the advice of a model railroader at your local hobby (train) shop. You could also contact a model railroad club in your area, or research KZfaq videos that demonstrate how to ballast a switch.

Any product on the top of the rails can interfere with electrical conductivity and should be removed before operating you train. You can use our Tidy Track® System to help clean your tracks for good connectivity.woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TrackMaintenance

+Scott Nelson Hello Scott! My guess is that they probably are available in your country. Our products can be found in many countries across six continents. If you would tell me which country you live in, I can put you in touch with the distributor who can steer you toward the hobby shop nearest you. Thanks for your interest!

You can always order from us online, woodlandscenics.com. If you have a local hobby shop they can also order from any of our international distributors such as Walthers or Stevens International.

U can also hit up Amazon as well .

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nN50gdOGtcCRlWw.html Here is a link to our video about painting rails. Painting on top of rails inhibits conductivity, so you want to do the sides only. If you get some on the tops, we suggest using our Tidy Track Cleaning System to clean the track.

You can spray before applying ballast also, but you always need to spray after ballast is applied to properly seal and lock the ballast in place.

There is no rule of thumb about using a specific type of rock for different areas along the track. On a real railroad, Ballast is made out of whatever common rock is closest to the tracks. Any differences you see along the line are likely due to the proximity of quarries, and types of rock, in the area. Rail yards are where train maintenance occurs, where goods are moved to and from rail cars. Debris from maintenance and goods builds up around the rail yard, accumulating on the Ballast and making it look darker. Railroads are less likely to replace the Ballast in rail yards. These are all reasons why the rail yard ballast looks darker than other areas along the track.

Hello! The base was a foam sheet covered with Plaster Cloth. Then, the Plaster Cloth was colored with Earth Undercoat Liquid Pigment.

+Jim Peacock Yes, Scenic Cement (S191) is used to secure ground cover as well.

That is our Rail Tracker™ Cleaning Kit from our Tidy Track® System. You can find it and more videos on our website: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/TT4550

+Jesse Shird The material used to model the weeds between the tracks is Light Green Field Grass (FG173). When used in this way, it is intended to model unused or abandoned tracks. An active track should never be obstructed. Happy Modeling!

Thank you very much.

Jarratt N scale would work fine with H.O. scale also

You will want to make sure that the Ballast will not interfere with the connection of your locomotive to your tracks: ballast being in direct contact with the track or ballast is to thick and your locomotive hits it when running Make sure to protect your track by covering it so when the Scenic Cement is sprayed it does not come in contact with your track. You could also apply Scenic Cement with an eyedropper if that is your preferred method. To find a hobby store near you that sells our products, use the Store Locator on our website. woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/information/dealersearch

Woodland Scenics thank you for your response. This has really helped me out. Just one more question, what is then pen you use to make the tracks looks rusted and where can I get it?

That is our Track Painter Pen in the color Rusty Rail. You can find them on our website or you can contact your local hobby shop. woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TrackPainters

You can ballast Bachmann EZ Track. Ballasting E-Z Track will be a two-step process. Begin by using Foam Tack Glue along the beveled edges of the track. Brush on thinned Foam Tack Glue (thinned with approximately 20% water), then press the Ballast onto the glue. Work in small manageable sections, so the glue does not dry before the Ballast can be applied. To ballast the top of the track, use Scenic Cement. Cover the top of the track with desired amount of Ballast. Brush Ballast from rails and top of ties. Mist Scenic Cement onto Ballast to break surface tension, and then saturate the Ballast using an eyedropper or the Scenic Sprayer.

@@ModelSceneryExpert thank you !! Gonna try it

Bachmann EZ-track is not meant to be ballasted, however it can be done. You will need to use Foam Tack Glue (ST1444) along the slanted edges and Scenic Cement (S191) on the top of the track. Along the slanted edges of the track, brush on thinned Foam Tack Glue (thinned with approximately 20%water to make it easier to brush), then press the Ballast into the glue. Work in small manageable sections so the glue does not dry out. On the top of the track follow our normal ballasting instructions using Scenic Cement. Hope this helps!

gary wise We recommend using Scenic Glue S190 to attach landscape materials (Underbrush, Bushes, Clump-Foliage, Lichen and Foliage Clusters and trees). Scenic Glue stays flexible, dries clear with a matte finish and is water soluble. Hope this is helpful to you!

***** The weeds inside the track would go perfect for my lionel fastrack.

When you touched the Ballast, did it feel like it was still wet or was it dry? If the Ballast still feels wet, you need to allow it to dry further. Place a fan on in the room to encourage air circulation. If the Ballast feels dry, you need to add more Scenic Cement. What happened is that you only saturated the top layer of the Ballast, creating a crust. Underneath the crust is loose Ballast that did not come in contact with Scenic Cement. So, when you press the top crust of the Ballast, the loose material beneath it will give and the glued Ballast (the crust) will crumble. The Ballast needs to be saturated for full adhesion. When you are applying the Scenic Cement, spray some over an area and watch it sink/absorb into the Ballast. Once it has sunk into the Ballast, mist it again. Repeat this until the Scenic Cement stops sinking into the Ballast and starts to pool.

Yes! Spray to attach your scenery items, and then give them a final, light coat to seal in place. You can see the instructions at the following link: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/S191/page/1

Ok, Thanks So Much! Very Helpful!

He uses our Rusty Rail Track Painter (TT4581) on the track rails and our Steel Rail Track Painter (TT4580) on the ties.

+Zachtrains Gaming The track used in this video is Atlas Code 83. As demonstrated in the video, the track has also been weathered using Tidy Track® Track Painters. Rusty Rail (TT4581) was used to paint the rails and Weathered Tie (TT4582) was used to paint the ties. When all painting was completed, the Rail Tracker tool was used to clean the tops of the rails. Atlas Model Railroading company is available online at this website: www.atlasrr.com/ Thanks for your questions! Hope you find what you need!

Those are our Track Painters, one of the products in our Tidy Track Rail and Wheel Maintenance System. They are available in three colors - Rusty Rail, Steel Rail and Weathered Tie. They work for all scales to paint metal and plastic and modelers can use them before or after installing their track. Each Track Painter includes a replacement tip. Check your local hobby shop where other Woodland Scenics products are sold. Here is the link to the Tidy Track system of products for more information. woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TTTWMS?perPage=1900

That is our Rail Tracker™ Cleaning Kit from our Tidy Track® System. You can find it and more videos on our website: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/TT4550/page/1

Thanks for watching our video. The black tool we used to clean the tracks is our Rail Tracker cleaning tool, which is part of our Rail Tracker Cleaning Kit. The Rail Tracker cleaning tool actually follows the track and hugs the rail while you clean. This tool makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas like inside tunnels, around structures and under power lines. Kit includes all you need to clean and maintain your track. Package doubles as a tray for storage. Replacement pads available. Designed to work on N, HO, HOn3 and three-rail O scale track. If you need more information about this tool, please visit our website: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/TT4550. Thanks for your interest in our products.

@@ModelSceneryExpert thank you will purchase it

The Scenic Cement applied onto Ballast should dry completely within a few hours. Environmental conditions will affect dry time. To speed up dry time, place a fan in the room to increase air circulation.

It is possible to separate the track pieces after they’ve been ballasted. However, the ballast will not remain intact.

We do not offer any track and cannot say if it is possible to build your own. We only sell the scenery and landscape that goes around a model railroad.

I'd recommend EZ Track with all scenery from woodland scenics.

Good afternoon, Here is your answer! Track Painter - Rusty Rail

Hello there! Tidy Track™ Cleaner Kit is our go-to! Find it at your local hobby store or on our website here: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/TT4550

Scenic Cement™ does not need to be diluted. You can find instructions and additional videos about Scenic Cement on our website: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/S191/page/1

Hello! I believe that the grass that you are referring to is our Field Grass (FG171-174). We offer a variety of different color Field Grass, however, the Field Grass in this video is Field Grass Light Green (FG173). The Track Painters will interfere with any electrical conductivity. The paint will need to be cleaned off before operating your train. It is best to wipe the paint off as it is being applied, or it can also be cleaned off the rails with the Rail Tracker Cleaning Kit (TT4550) after the painting is complete. Hope this helps, and Happy Modeling!

Thanks

The pen is one of our Track Painters. There are three colors available. Steel Rail - woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/TT4580 Rusty Rail - woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/TT4581 Weathered Tie - woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/TT4582

That's our Rail Tracker™ Cleaning Kit. You can find it at your local hobby shop or on our website: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TrackMaintenance

Matthew Fletcher Hello Matthew. That is the Rail Tracker, which is part of our Tidy Track Rail and Wheel Maintenance System. Here is the link. woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TTTWMS?perPage=1900 Hope this helps!

railguy82 around 1 to 2 days

Hello, It's hard to tell how many feet out Track Painter pens can cover because the pens are used in a variety of ways and for different scales. But, in our testing, one pen covered 3500 linear feet (lines were lightly drawn and 1/16" thick). So it can cover up to 1,166 three foot lengths of track.

@@ModelSceneryExpert thanks for the reply and info.

Alex Dumitras They look like markers, but are actually paint pens called Track Painters...they come in three colors - Steel Rail, Rusty Rail and Weathered Tie. You can find them at your local hobby shop or on our website along with other products from the Tidy Track Rail & Wheel Maintenance System product line. If you would like further information, you can search the following item numbers on our website: TT4580, TT4581 and TT4582. Thanks for your interest in our products! Happy Modeling.

***** Many thanks! I will search them! I don't know if the hobby shop near me has it as i live in UK but i will serch it or buy it online. I did watch you're tutorials and built my own model using you're products!

Alex Dumitras You can contact our UK distributor through their website: www.bachmann.co.uk. They will be able to tell you who sells the Tidy Track System retail in the UK. Thanks for your interest!

We do not have a tool specifically for that. Our entire Tidy Track System works to keep track clean from dirt and grime. What kind of glue are you wanting to remove from the track? We may be able to offer a recommendation if it's one of our glues.

I am using @@ModelSceneryExpert ballast cement with an eye dropper that isn't working very well. I just purchased woodland scenics spray bottle , but not sure what to use to clean the glue off the track after spraying

If the Scenic Cement is wet, you can simply wipe it off. If it has dried, you can use rubbing alcohol on cotton swabs to wipe it away. Tidy Track should clean it off okay as well. Also, sometimes you can just take a craft stick and scrape it away.

You can but its more realistic when the rail are covered, not just laying on top.

You can ballast Bachmann EZ Track. Ballasting E-Z Track will be a two-step process. Begin by using Foam Tack Glue along the beveled edges of the track. Brush on thinned Foam Tack Glue (thinned with approximately 20% water), then press the Ballast onto the glue. Work in small manageable sections, so the glue does not dry before the Ballast can be applied. To ballast the top of the track, use Scenic Cement. Cover the top of the track with desired amount of Ballast. Brush Ballast from rails and top of ties. Mist Scenic Cement onto Ballast to break surface tension, and then saturate the Ballast using an eyedropper or the Scenic Sprayer.

Scenic cement glue should dry within a few hours. You can use a fan to make it dry faster. We don't recommend using a paper towel because it wouldn't remove everything as easily, but you might be able too. Best of Luck!

@@ModelSceneryExpert thanks for the information! I just have two more questions. Is the Bright Boy Track cleaner by Walthers a good choice for cleaning tracks? And would the marker to paint the tracks effect the trains from running properly?

We're not sure how efficient that product would be, but Woodland Scenics does offer several products for track cleaning and maintenance. To answer your second question, the marker shouldn't harm the train's ability to run, especially if you've given it time to dry before running your train.

@@ModelSceneryExpert ok thanks for the help! Have a great evening!

Hi, Andrew! We used a dry paintbrush.

what is a good size layout for a 12 year old boy dcc

The size of the layout depends on what the modeler is looking for, as well as the skill level. I would recommend our Woodland Scenics Layout kits for experienced modelers: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/LAKits. For someone with less experience or just starting to learn, I would recommend starting out with our Scene-A-Rama basic kits. These kits will help teach you the skills needed to advance to a larger layout. A lot of the Scene-A-Rama kits are used in class settings or projects for younger modelers.scenearama.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/BasicKits.

Ianjanes03 We do not recommend using Scenic Glue to adhere Ballast. We recommend using Scenic Cement (S191). Scenic Cement contains a wetting agent to prevent clumping when adhering the Ballast. Hope this helps!

Todd Davidson Yes! Scenic Cement has a flow agent built into the product, so there is no need to add wet water or alcohol. After applying your ballast, mist Scenic Cement lightly onto the ballast to help break surface tension, then saturate for a strong bond. Hope this helps, and Happy Modeling!

***** yes this helps greatly, thank you! Also, for N scale, would you recommend the sprayer or an eye dropper for the pre-wetting and saturating etc..? thanks again, td

Todd Davidson We suggest misting for the pre-wetting step. If you use an eyedropper, the Scenic Cement will most likely just roll off the top of the Ballast. As for saturating, either technique will work. It depends on which one you feel more comfortable working with. Hope this helps.

***** you guys are a cool company, I have a track painting marker. and I love it a lot. I will buy a lot more of your products.

Hello! Yes, dried paint or Scenic Cement on top of the rails will interfere with electrical conductivity and should be removed before operating your train. Happy modeling!

Woodland Scenics k thanks

Hi, I am JUST getting back into model railroading for the first time as an adult. I had the same question, so basically you can paint the side of the rails but not the tops? Is this correct? Also as far as removing the cement, how fast does it usually dry, and worse case scenario, I think I have removed it, but a month or so later I test out the layout and find theres still cement or paint on the rail, at this point is it still removable? Thanks.

There are not any hobby shops currently located in India, but you can always order product from our website or check out our Store Locator to find a hobby shop is closer: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/information/DealerSearch?ws

toodles241 Hello Toodles! Sprinkle Soft Flake Snow (SN140) over the area, brush away from rails with a dry paint brush, then spray with Scenic Cement (S191). Be sure to clean your rails after the application of the Scenic Cement so that you will not have any conductivity issues. Hope this helps!

+Trainz Express Hello! They are called Track Painters and they come in three colors, Weathered Tie, Rusty Rail and Steel Rail. They are products included in our Tidy Track Rail and Wheel Cleaning System. woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TTTWMS?perPage=1900

Every hobby shop has different stock, so you can always call to be sure they have it in store. It is highly likely your local hobby shop will have it.

Thanks

Yes, you can us Bachmann E-Z track. Ballasting E-Z Track will be a two-step process. Begin by using Foam Tack Glue (ST1444) along the beveled edges of the track. Brush on thinned Foam Tack Glue (thinned with approximately 20% water), then press the Ballast onto the glue. Work in small manageable sections, so the glue does not dry before the Ballast can be applied. To ballast the top of the track, use Scenic Cement (S191). Cover the top of the track with desired amount of Ballast. Brush Ballast from rails and top of ties. Mist Scenic Cement onto Ballast to break surface tension, and then saturate the Ballast using an eyedropper or the Scenic Sprayer (S192).

Great. Thanks for the reply :)

It's a woodland scenics product and I highly recommend it. It comes in several colors. And if you cant find it there is also a set of paint pens by Testors. One set has three volors for rails and ties.

We used our Track Paint Pen. There are three different pens (TT4580-TT4582) you can use. Check them out on our website for more information: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TTTWMS?perPage=1900

+adamjames710 I apologize for the delay in responding to your comment. We do our best to respond to comments within the first 24 hours. However we are not on site during weekend hours and so it may take a little longer. Here is the answer to your question... Scenic Cement is a ready-to-use spray or brush-on adhesive specially formulated to glue Ballast, Turf and other landscape materials to a layout. This multi-use product is non-toxic, water-based and dries to a matte finish. Scenic Cement contains a wetting agent that breaks surface tension, allowing easier and faster penetration of scenery materials for a strong bond and permeates instantly for maximum coverage. PVA glue does not dry with a matte finish so when being used in landscaping it will result in unrealistic shiny areas in the model. Also, the bond is not as strong because it does not penetrate the scenery materials well and can be peeled off most surfaces after it has dried.