Hello fellow modellers,

May I introduce to you the metamorphosis of a small section of Märklin’s C track in three different pictures.

To achieve this work of art in two simple steps all you need is;

1. Ballast - Wooland Scenics - Fine Grey.
2. Paint- Golden Artist Coulor Inc. - Burnt Unber.

May the pictures speak of the beauty!

Yes a lot of airbrushing and to be honest this is my first time airbrushing tracks! I airbrushed mountains on my previous K track layout. But I was not comfortable using the airbrush so I used a brush instead and that took me more than forty hours to do! After I finished with the brush I did go over the ballast lightly using the airbrush to get the that look of washed rust on the ballast.



I should be downstairs doing some more but I decided to give it a break today. One thing I would like to mention is that I position the airbrush about 2” / 5 centimetres from the track and I hold the airbrush straight at a right angle 📐 while I spray. The spray pattern is very narrow maybe two full turns on the needle valve. Slow and precise strokes, a foot / 30cm at a time.

Just for some clarity on my previous K track layout. When I was almost done with it I found that going around the room wasn’t doing me any favours so I started to work on a better track plan which eventually became this one. And I must add using C track is working wonders for that special railway/railroad look!

Here’s a picture I just took from my IPad. That little bit of overspray really makes the scene and it’s actually nicer looking on the grey ballast versus the brown ballast on K track, in my opinion.

As mentioned earlier the pictures from the iPad are not representing the true colours that you actually see! You have to see it in person, it really knocks my socks off!

Edited by user 03 February 2021 15:27:09(UTC)  | Reason: really knocks off my socks! Oops!

Hello Shannon,

I deliberately kept the top of my C tracks free from ballast for two reasons.

1. The simulated ballast on top looked quite right and has the neat and clean visual effect that I like.
2. I did not want to fuss around with the tedious task of placing and arranging the ballast on the top.

I must admit that to achieve my results I did experiment on some loose pieces of c track. It worked out well for me and the accomplishment is well worth the effort!

Since my railroad is a first class line I was striving for a very clean and well manicured roadbeds. I must say for myself I achieved my goals and then some!!!

But first remember this is still a work in progress as I have lots of enjoyment ahead of me creating the scenery, what a wonderful hobby we have.