Rainbows in the Lehigh Valley Gorge

[TMo]

I'd noticed all of Ed's shots were done on weathered and painted track a few weeks ago, which reminded me that I was getting to the point in Mud Run where I'd need to attend to ballasting the track there.  Before I commenced to dump gravel in and around the track, I figured it would be a good idea to weather the track.

Some things you end up learning only after experience.  Here's today's bit of knowledge and experience.  "IF I WERE SMART....  I would have weathered the track and it's ties PRIOR to putting the track down."  If I were starting a layout from scratch, and PRIOR to putting the track on the roadbed, I would paint the track and ties.  It's much easier to do so while sitting in the comfort of your chair.  Once you have the track and some of the scenery down?  Much tougher.  Even if I would have hit everything with a base coat and highlighted after the track were installed, I'd be far ahead.

I'm painting the rails and ties by hand.  I could probably get the airbrush out, but I'd still be standing on a working surface and using my Optivisor to ensure I got good coverage.  It's slow business, but I have to admit, the results are dramatic.  The photo below points that out.  The track in the foreground is straight out of the box, the stuff receding into the distance was painted today. I can only really see to get to the outside of the inner rail and the inside of the outer rail, which will be good enough for me.