There are many different ways you can lay track for your model railroad layout. They all can work well if you take the time and learn how to install them properly. For many model railroaders, all the time, work, and expense of hand laying track is too much. For that matter, even the cork base and flex track is more than they want to deal with. An excellent alternative is the wonderful “snap track” that is available from a number of quality manufacturers. This track comes with a plastic “road bed” already attached, and has a locking system that keeps the sections together and secure.

This “snap track” is a wonderful product that works great, but looks a bit “plastic”. As most train modelers get better at the hobby, they want to get away from that “plastic” look and work toward a more real “feel”. With just a little effort you can make these plastic based track sections look great.

To start off, you need to think about what color you want the track base to end up. Usually, most folks like a darker red, brown, or black ballast color. To get a nice even color, I make a mix of rubbing alcohol and liquid ink. This liquid ink comes in a number of colors, so spend some time thinking about what you want the ballast to look like. Depending on how dark you want the ballast will determine how much ink to add to the alcohol mix. The more ink added, the darker the ballast will end up. And here it is again….. The “voice of experience” rears its ugly head. I find it almost impossible to mix a new batch of the ink wash exactly the same color as the first. With that in mind, make sure to mix enough the first time to complete the entire project. (Try about ½ to one cup of mix to start)

Now, on to coloring of the track base. You can either color the loose individual sections of the track, or connect them together and then apply the mix. You really need to practice applying this mix BEFORE you start on your good track. This process looks easier than it is.

Here are a few basics that will help with the eventual outcome of your track ballast. First off, you need a fairly large, rather soft brush for this application. An important aspect of this application is you can’t stop once you start putting the mix on the track base. If you stop and let it dry, then start again you will always see the line! Plan ahead and do just as much track base as you have time for.

When applying, make sure the mix gets up on the sides of the track itself. This will “dull down” the shine on the rails and make them look more weathered. After applying the mix, DON’T TOUCH any area that has fresh mix for at least half an hour. You will leave a permanent mark every time you touch it when it’s wet.

After the mix completely dries, see if the color is dark enough for your taste. You can’t tell the actual color until it is fully dry. If it turns out the color is too light, mix up another batch with more ink in it this time and repeat the procedure.

One word of caution for you folks that already have this type of track attached to your layout. The alcohol mix can destroy your existing scenic finishings if you put it on so heavy that it runs off the base. If this happens, don’t panic. Don’t touch the affected area, just let it completely dry and add new ground cover over the damaged section.

If you really want to get fancy, you can add one last step. Most trains drop oil and other stuff that causes the ballast between the tracks to end up darker than the sides. To accomplish this coloring, make another alcohol mix with dark black ink and apply it very sparingly to the area between the rails with a stiff brush. Be careful, as if you add too much of this last mix it will migrate to the outside of the rails. Once again, I suggest you practice this stage on an “extra” test section of track rather than on the “mainline”.

One last thing you need to do and you will be back to running the trains. You need to clean the mix off the top of the rails for good electrical contact with the wheels. Just run a “bright boy” (a fancy pencil eraser) over the track until you notice a change of color. Pay special attention to areas where the track sections join. And yes, you even need to clean the track that is WAY in the back of your layout. That always seems to be the area on my “Train Town” that causes the most problems. (Do you have one of those spots?)