Small HO Scale Layout Build - Ep. 12: Track Painting Quick & Easy!

If there's one step in your model railroad construction that can have the biggest bang for your buck, painting your track may be it. It's amazing how this one easy step quickly changes your layout from from looking toy-like and unfinished to looking like a realistic looking model.
In this video I share my techniques for painting track to give it a more weathered, realistic appearance.
If you've ever wanted to get into model trains, or build a small switching layout but didn't know where to start, this series is for you, because it's all about how to build a small layout! There's a lot to think about when building a train layout, especially in a tight space, and we'll cover everything you need to know on how to build a small layout. This is the twelfth episode in the series on building a small HO scale layout.
Chapters:
00:00​ - Intro
02:11​ - Prepping the Layout
05:16 -Spray Painting
07:54 - Airbrushing
08:44 - Hand Painting
13:28 - Wrapping Up
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
Patreon: / thepixeldepot
Spring Store for Pixel Depot branded merch: the-pixel-depot.creator-sprin...
Connect with us on Social Media:
Facebook: / thepixeldepot
Instagram: / thepixeldepot
Twitter: / thepixeldepot
Links:
Joe's MCTD Blog: www.chessiemctd.com/
Track plan for "The Grunge" Layout: www.chessiemctd.com/the-grunge...
#modelrailroading #switchinglayout #modelrailroad #modelrailroadtrack #painting track

[@debbiemilka2251]

Thanks Joe. I'm getting close to this step. I've ordered some of those GOOT heat sinks and I'll be soldering for the first time soon as I attempt DCC track wiring on the rail yard I just created. Streaming to the bus will be a challenge.

[@billbarnes8192]

I like quick and easy

[@cattaraugustonawanda4426]

Best looking track I've seen is hand laid with the wood ties. The wood ties are painted before laying the rail which can be painted before laying. On a tiny layout like the Grunge hand laid track is quite reasonable to do. On my layout using Peco code 83 I just sprayed with burnt umber. Once the ballast (cinders) is in the track looks ok.

[@derekalexander4030]

Thanks for the how you do it. Not only did we get your tips but because you asked for others to give theirs we got more. Thanks.

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Glad I could help

[@JaySawyer-pm1hp]

Great impersonating…spot on with the accent,,,,,!,,!,,!

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Thanks! It was fun, if a little embarrassing. 😉

[@almarr4942]

Mister Rogers and Forest Gump combined, Great Job

[@EL-nc1cs]

Your track weathering looks great Jim!
Another tip is before I paint my track, I'll run a line of
Chap Stick along the top rails. Super easy paint removal
when your done.
- Alex

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

That’s a great tip! (I’m Joe, BTW) 😁

[@qwincyq6412]

What a great idea! Now I know what to do with my old chapsticks

[@the_BRD_sub_byDonHennessy]

Nice video, great opening. Cheers

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Thanks, Don!

[@fbrailroad4628]

Painting track and ties I find to be tedious but, it does do a lot for the overall look. Thanks for sharing, David

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Agreed. That’s why I tried to find a quicker way. I think the quick method followed by some individual tie painting works well.

[@raygallagherjr8851]

Nicely done.

[@davestrains6816]

Great tips, thanks for sharing. Dave

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Track looks great, I like the idea of using air brush and the brush, not sure about a rattle can in the house

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Yeah, you certainly want some ventilation.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

I subscribed your channel

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Thanks! Welcome!

[@scotabot7826]

Cool Video. I'm also a 57 year old who still loves Mr Rogers, and that intro was well done! Why are you not using any type of road bed? Is all of the track going to be set into streets?

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

I watched a lot of Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street as a kid. It's clearly had an influence on me. :) I skipped the roadbed on this project because the track will mostly be "embedded" in the dirt. As a run down alley, this track wouldn't have been pretty and wouldn't have gotten prep, care, or maintenance of higher grade track. You can see an example in this video: czcams.com/video/ogyX3L9JcII/video.html

[@georgebraun2387]

This makes me wonder why manufactures don,t offer this in there track offerings

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Well, I think part of it is that it can make the electrical aspects harder. To solder the drops to the rail you need an unpainted surface. Also, for flextrack, when you bend it, it will show the unpainted spots. I suppose if they covered the entire surface you wouldn't know, but then you're back to the soldering challenge.

[@jamescarry4733]

Joe, at sometime can or will you be showing a video on. How to add DCC to a small layout.

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Have you seen my video on Wiring the Grunge? It's very simple for something this size. If you look at this spot in that video (czcams.com/video/1unOPE7USy0/video.html) you will see the terminal block on the right hand side. You would just need to connect one wire from your DCC unit to the red connection and the other wire to the white.

[@billbarnes8192]

A railroad friend ran over a rock between the rails puncturing fuel tank discharging the deisel onto the ground wonder what that would look like on your diorama?

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

In the timeframe I model there was no due in diesel fuel so it would likely just look like and clear oily patch on the ties.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

I noticed you did use any cork

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Not here. I wanted the look of track buried in the the pavement or soil, so I put the track right on the surface.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

I have your sticker