You did a great job. I also have Bachmann track as well as Kato. What I do to add a little realism is to paint the entire track (rails and all) with burnt umber, wiping the tops of the rails before it dries. (Got to be careful on the switches.) It's quick and easy. On some of my dioramas, I add ballast as well. I can't post links here but see my work at BostonType (with the usual web site suffix).
This particular product from Bachmann is steel rail. They do make nickel silver rail with a gray “ road bed”. Coincidentally the nickel silver has more track choices than the steel, interesting. Nice job and what an improvement! I didn’t think this stuff could look that good, keep it up!
Nice effect. Just make sure your track couplings don’t get coated in paint. It will make for some bad electrical connections interrupting the smooth operation of the trains.
I bought some of the Bachmanns gray Nickel plated track. I found that a lot easier to separate the rails from the road bed. What I did was hold it in my hands track side up and gently squeeze the tack bed from the top to the bottom till I heard the glue give. Then I used a small screwdriver and gently prayed the 2 apart. I didn’t break a single track. I did this with 32 pieces of track. I don’t know if the same technique would work with the black bed ones.
@@JohnsRailroad ok I did try it with the black roadbed track I had the straight terminal rerailer piece I had left over and it does works. So what I did was squeeze it and a slight twisting motion
The N scale E-Z Track is nickel-silver rails; the HO is steel. You can get the textured paint in the regular paint section at Home Depot, or wherever. I use it for roads and yards and even some rock faces.
@@garyorlic3080 Hi Gary! No, you should never sand the rails. The easiest way is to wipe the track down with a rag lightly soaked with mineral spirits while the paint is still wet. The hard way is to cover the rails with itty-bitty pieces of tape. Or, you can shield the track with a piece of light cardboard, and only spray towards the cardboard. Only the top of the rails need to be cleaned for good conductivity. There's a big debate in the community about how best to clean track. It's generally not good to use any abrasive on your track. Some people recommend using a Brite Boy very gently. Generally, you don't want to use anything with water in it, like rubbing alcohol. That's why I use mineral spirits. Here's a great video from Ron's Trains 'n Things: th-cam.com/video/lBYxjcTWCB0/w-d-xo.html I use this method, you just have to apply the No OX ID Special VERY sparingly -- too much and everything gets gooped up. Remember, you're filling in micro-gaps, not greasing the rails. Ron's also got a follow-up video, reviewing the results after one year. Good luck! ( :
John I must tip my hat! Great job. I never knew you can take the track apart like that, and in doing so..."It opens up a whole new way to utilize that particular track system." Thank you for sharing!
I like all skills myself. I really like G Scale but it’s too big to do anything inside. My yard is not a good enough good type yard to actually have it outside. But I guess I am partial to each show but also really like N.
I am in the process of doing this same thing to my Bachmann EZ track. The straight track pops out with no issues but the curved track gives me issues in the middle part they really glued the middle down. The steel rails pops off if your carful yo can slide the rail back in place. Also if you look under the track you will see two holes at each end and one in the middle I take a round small screw driver and push up on those holes that will also pop the track off of the bed.
Yes this can be an issue. I helped a fried with his layout using this type of track and I also used some. I have a video showing how mine turned out. I did have some stubborn pieces also. I drilled the center pin out on the tough ones. Discovered after I made the video. I should do a revised one but no longer have any track to do so. Sorry you are having issues. Thanks
@@JohnsRailroad I tried that method of drilling the bottom side of the track in the middle that works a lot better. Had no issues with the rails coming off. I used a 3/32 bit with mine
I just used a thin flat screw driver and went between the track and roadbed and slowly pride it up. I have occasionally broke a tab off but the after painting them I just re-glued it back in. I know it can be challenging on some of the pieces.
@@JohnsRailroad thank you, have you tried with curved tracks? I don’t have the nerve to try it yet, but if it works the same then I’ll get right to it. Thank you, I’m definitely subscribing
I have to replace some of my track that I trying to remove from the roadbed so now I have to get some bachmann code 100 track to replace the broken ones and will Regular Blackman track fit on the roadbed
The track fits bit you might have to make a hole in a rail tie if the regular bachman track does not have one. I did not have that happen but was prepared to do that if needed. you do have to be careful removing the track but they can still break.
I just wiped them off about 2 min after painting them and gave it a once over with a brite boy and that worked for me. I know using wood does work though. Thanks.
Don't open it leave it in the rapper you may have a train model building syndrome and if you get that to expand on the little set you bought that your wife bought you you could soon be divorced because you're playing more with train layout detail work all the goodies in between and hear your wife say honey is it me or the train layout tonight. .. so be careful
The track looks good it looks like the real deal
I thinks it looks great. Better than leaving it black only.
Nice job, making lemonade out of that Bachmann “lemon” track!😄👍
Thanks! 😄 Good name for it!
That looks good! Great idea!! I don't use it but your idea makes it look so much better! Nice video.......
Thanks for watching
Wow, that is pretty cool! Interesting how you did it!
I thought so. It gives hope to that style of track. Thanks!
You did a great job. I also have Bachmann track as well as Kato. What I do to add a little realism is to paint the entire track (rails and all) with burnt umber, wiping the tops of the rails before it dries. (Got to be careful on the switches.) It's quick and easy. On some of my dioramas, I add ballast as well.
I can't post links here but see my work at BostonType (with the usual web site suffix).
I will check that out. Thanks for the tip.
That does look much better. Nice job. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks 👍
This particular product from Bachmann is steel rail. They do make nickel silver rail with a gray “ road bed”. Coincidentally the nickel silver has more track choices than the steel, interesting. Nice job and what an improvement! I didn’t think this stuff could look that good, keep it up!
Thank you for the info. Just thought it was a good alternative rather than replacing it.
[omg, this looks great. i, also seen at walmart the spray can of gray grannet spray paint]👍👍
Oh cool! Any similar paints work well.
Nice effect. Just make sure your track couplings don’t get coated in paint. It will make for some bad electrical connections interrupting the smooth operation of the trains.
10-4 on that. I paint most of my track snapped together. Thanks.
I bought some of the Bachmanns gray Nickel plated track. I found that a lot easier to separate the rails from the road bed. What I did was hold it in my hands track side up and gently squeeze the tack bed from the top to the bottom till I heard the glue give. Then I used a small screwdriver and gently prayed the 2 apart. I didn’t break a single track. I did this with 32 pieces of track. I don’t know if the same technique would work with the black bed ones.
That seems like a worth while thing to try. Thanks for sharing.
@@JohnsRailroad ok I did try it with the black roadbed track I had the straight terminal rerailer piece I had left over and it does works. So what I did was squeeze it and a slight twisting motion
The N scale E-Z Track is nickel-silver rails; the HO is steel. You can get the textured paint in the regular paint section at Home Depot, or wherever. I use it for roads and yards and even some rock faces.
Yes I have some of that spray from the hardware store. I feel it goes on too thick but it does work ok.
Thanks
Hi Steve.
Do you need to sand the top of the track once you paint it? Will it still conduct electricity?
@@garyorlic3080 Hi Gary! No, you should never sand the rails. The easiest way is to wipe the track down with a rag lightly soaked with mineral spirits while the paint is still wet. The hard way is to cover the rails with itty-bitty pieces of tape. Or, you can shield the track with a piece of light cardboard, and only spray towards the cardboard. Only the top of the rails need to be cleaned for good conductivity. There's a big debate in the community about how best to clean track. It's generally not good to use any abrasive on your track. Some people recommend using a Brite Boy very gently. Generally, you don't want to use anything with water in it, like rubbing alcohol. That's why I use mineral spirits. Here's a great video from Ron's Trains 'n Things: th-cam.com/video/lBYxjcTWCB0/w-d-xo.html I use this method, you just have to apply the No OX ID Special VERY sparingly -- too much and everything gets gooped up. Remember, you're filling in micro-gaps, not greasing the rails. Ron's also got a follow-up video, reviewing the results after one year. Good luck! ( :
@@stevesmodelbuilds5473 thank you very much. Im just getting in to trains for the very first time at 51 with my 6 year old.
@@garyorlic3080 Great! There's better resources than me, but reach out any time 😀.
Nice improvement. That paint is interesting. Maybe some other uses for it.
I think so too! I am trying other used and will post them when I feel they are worthy. I have 3 colors of this paint. Thanks!
Wow! Great idea! Awesome.
Better than not using it! Thank you! 😊
John I must tip my hat! Great job. I never knew you can take the track apart like that, and in doing so..."It opens up a whole new way to utilize that particular track system." Thank you for sharing!
Thank you. It is better than replacing it.
N scale is really cool scale I have o ho and n scale on one layout n scale works great in small spaces
I like all skills myself. I really like G Scale but it’s too big to do anything inside. My yard is not a good enough good type yard to actually have it outside. But I guess I am partial to each show but also really like N.
I am in the process of doing this same thing to my Bachmann EZ track. The straight track pops out with no issues but the curved track gives me issues in the middle part they really glued the middle down. The steel rails pops off if your carful yo can slide the rail back in place. Also if you look under the track you will see two holes at each end and one in the middle I take a round small screw driver and push up on those holes that will also pop the track off of the bed.
Yes this can be an issue. I helped a fried with his layout using this type of track and I also used some. I have a video showing how mine turned out. I did have some stubborn pieces also. I drilled the center pin out on the tough ones. Discovered after I made the video. I should do a revised one but no longer have any track to do so. Sorry you are having issues. Thanks
@@JohnsRailroad I tried that method of drilling the bottom side of the track in the middle that works a lot better. Had no issues with the rails coming off. I used a 3/32 bit with mine
Could you tell me how to remove the tracks without breaking them? I have been trying to do that without ruining the plastic ballast part
I just used a thin flat screw driver and went between the track and roadbed and slowly pride it up. I have occasionally broke a tab off but the after painting them I just re-glued it back in. I know it can be challenging on some of the pieces.
@@JohnsRailroad thank you, have you tried with curved tracks? I don’t have the nerve to try it yet, but if it works the same then I’ll get right to it. Thank you, I’m definitely subscribing
How do you clean this bachmann E-Z track..? Just picked up used track for my grandson, with a locomotive... (Thank you in advance)
I use a bright boy track cleaner. They are very easy to use. Walthers 949-521 Bright Boy Track Cleaner.
Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Dave
It beats throwing it away. Thanks Dave!
This isn't half bad great idea
Thanks
The gray is Nickel silver that does Look good All you do on the Rails On The N Scale is Hand Paint it.
I have not even looked at the N scale stuff yet. But I think you are right about it. Thanks
I have to replace some of my track that I trying to remove from the roadbed so now I have to get some bachmann code 100 track to replace the broken ones and will Regular Blackman track fit on the roadbed
The track fits bit you might have to make a hole in a rail tie if the regular bachman track does not have one. I did not have that happen but was prepared to do that if needed. you do have to be careful removing the track but they can still break.
Thank you for this video. Did you paint the rails and then scrape the paint off of the top of them?
Yes but not scraped. I wiped it off. Then I bright Boyer them to a shine. Worked great. Thanks
Just saw your reply here. Cant wait to try
Great idea! Thanks
I thought so to. Thanks
That does look Good.
Thanks I think it does too. Better than just gray.
So I guess you're attaching Track by rail joiners only you snapped off or broke off the EZ track tabs at each end
No most of the tabs stay in place. And yes it still connects with rail joiners and the factory tabs.
What was the stuff you used and where can I find it at?
I get it at Hobby Lobby but I think many hobby or paint stores have it. I will post a pic of it on my image post page. They have several colors of it.
I like this video. I subscribed.
Thanks Scott! I appreciate it.
@@JohnsRailroad You're welcome!
You will need to take a wood dowel and clean the paint off the top off the rails or the engines won't work.
I just wiped them off about 2 min after painting them and gave it a once over with a brite boy and that worked for me. I know using wood does work though. Thanks.
How did you do with the switches?
Same procedure. If you paint the track just put a piece of masking tape where the switch contacts.
@@JohnsRailroad did you take the switch off the road bed before you did with the other track and do you have a picture off the switch?
Yes I did take it off. Long time ago. No pics.
@@JohnsRailroad ok
Can you get the Gravel paint at Walmart
Yes any paint like that will work. Great idea! Thanks
You could save all that work by just getting the nickel silver track. It's already gray.
I agree but when you but a set they sometimes have this kind. It’s only a suggestion/option.
@@JohnsRailroad The nickel silver comes only with about 2 Bachmann
@@JohnsRailroad the nickel silver only comes in 2 Bachmann sets and both are more money than the Thorough bred.
Paint It Gray on the Bed Brown on the Rails. Wa La!
Thanks for the comment.
best look for that ugly track, just make sure to clean the top of the rails for a good electrical connection. :)
Yes I agree. I will not throw any track away. I will always find a way to reuse it. I do scuff it down after painting it.
Don't open it leave it in the rapper you may have a train model building syndrome and if you get that to expand on the little set you bought that your wife bought you you could soon be divorced because you're playing more with train layout detail work all the goodies in between and hear your wife say honey is it me or the train layout tonight. .. so be careful
LOL actually I am now selling it on FB. Thanks
@@JohnsRailroad I could possibly figure as much fun while it lasted though right