This is an example of my first attempt at hand laid track in HO scale. I used code 55 rail and wooden ties that I stained and bleached. The spikes are too large in scale; will attempt another time to use smaller spikes This exercise took me approximately 8 hours to do including the ballasting, weathering, and scenery.
I weathered the rail by painting the sides with rail brown paint. Then I put a protective barrier (sheet of paper) over the outside ties, up against the bottom of the rails. Before the paint dries, while in a sticky stage, I use orange chalk dust and lightly brush it along the side of the rails with a soft makeup brush then seal it instantly with dullcote. This seals it and darkens it a bit so it doesn't look to orangey. On the top of the rails, I run the actual piece of chalk across them then spray it with dullcoat. On my layout I run the chalk over the top of the rails on less used sidings where a loco would not reach.
The grass in the background is Heki wild grass, The grass between the ties and in the foreground is static grass flock, which is applied by using white glue. Just when the glue is sticky, I place the vacuum above the grass; this makes the grass stand up. After it dries, I rake it over with a wire brush the size of a toothbrush to get rid of the excess grass that I do not want. After it is completely dry, I add various chalk dusts to simulate soil and dirt, which settles between the grass. Just to make sure no dust stains the grass, I brush my fingers lighly along the top of the grass. I then seal it with a fine mist consisting of 1 parts white glue with about 8 parts water.
I weathered the rail by painting the sides with rail brown paint. Then I put a protective barrier (sheet of paper) over the outside ties, up against the bottom of the rails. Before the paint dries, while in a sticky stage, I use orange chalk dust and lightly brush it along the side of the rails with a soft makeup brush then seal it instantly with dullcote. This seals it and darkens it a bit so it doesn't look to orangey. On the top of the rails, I run the actual piece of chalk across them then spray it with dullcoat. On my layout I run the chalk over the top of the rails on less used sidings where a loco would not reach.
The grass in the background is Heki wild grass, The grass between the ties and in the foreground is static grass flock, which is applied by using white glue. Just when the glue is sticky, I place the vacuum above the grass; this makes the grass stand up. After it dries, I rake it over with a wire brush the size of a toothbrush to get rid of the excess grass that I do not want. After it is completely dry, I add various chalk dusts to simulate soil and dirt, which settles between the grass. Just to make sure no dust stains the grass, I brush my fingers lighly along the top of the grass. I then seal it with a fine mist consisting of 1 parts white glue with about 8 parts water.
Nice Job.
