railroad tie color?

[blvdbuzzard]

I have been trying to find a color that is sort of close to the older railroad ties. What color is creosote? I have mixed a couple browns, black, reds, umbers and have not gotten anything like what I want. I am looking for ties from the south west.


Thanks.

Buzz.

[zoegraf]

I use burnt umber acrylic. I like to prime the ties with grey primer then wash them with the burnt umber. After it dries, I mix different shades of brown for the odd tie here and there. I Also dry brush some of the ties with grey and white to depict older ones. After ballasting, a wash and weathering can achieve many looks that you may want.

In the first shot, the ties are make of wood and stained.

The second shot is are the same wood ties on a turnout.

The last shot are ME plastic ties that have been primed, washed, and coloured individually to depict ties older and drier with dirt on them. After they are ballasted they will look better.

[waltr]

In addition to zoegraf's technique check my build thread for more on painting ties.

To get an almost black color like fresh cresote mix in a small amount of Ultramarine (blue) to burnt umber.

Here is a link to more tie painting:
http://www.proto87.com/fast-tracks-ties-stain.html

[blvdbuzzard]

I am trying to paint the ties for a girder bridge. They are black plastic. I had tried a few colors but they just did not look right.

Off to the store to get more colors.

Buzz.

[zoegraf]

Originally Posted by waltr

In addition to zoegraf's technique check my build thread for more on painting ties.

To get an almost black color like fresh cresote mix in a small amount of Ultramarine (blue) to burnt umber.

Here is a link to more tie painting:
http://www.proto87.com/fast-tracks-ties-stain.html

I will try the blue to burnt umber on my next diorama. Thanks for the tip.

[zoegraf]

Originally Posted by blvdbuzzard

I am trying to paint the ties for a girder bridge. They are black plastic. I had tried a few colors but they just did not look right.

Off to the store to get more colors.

Buzz.

Look forward to seeing some pics on your painted ties.

[Dave S]

Very nice!

[zoegraf]

Originally Posted by Dave S

Very nice!

Thanks.
I'm eager to get on with experimenting more with plastic ties, but I'm waiting on some fishplates that I ordered from Proto: 87. Ideally I would like to get my hands on some ME code 55 HO scale flex track. Soon I will experiment with CVT branch line ties on a diorama.
I still like handmade turnouts laid on wooden ties. I have quite a few, but without ties.

Cheers.