Track colouring (timbers, etc.)

[Lacathedrale]

I am using limewood sleepers for hand laying track, and one of the things that can be done is dyeing or staining them before laying the track.

 

Here are some in various shades of black and brown india ink mixes:

 

 

Full strength brown, full strength black, a little black, 50/50 black brown, medium strength black, medium strength brown. I. must note that these are brushed on and soaked in, rather than being steeped.

 

 

Another shot in the same order - the rail colour goes from chocolate brown (left) to an umber (right).

 

It doesn't feel like any of these are right, but I'm not sure how else to attack this! any ideas?

[brossard]

I'm using wooden timbers for my turnouts (7mm) and a dark brown stain:

 

 

Middle turnout is modified Peco.

 

I'm not fussed about timber colour because the plan is to paint and weather everything anyway.

 

John

[Lacathedrale]

Can you please advise what stain you used? I wonder if it might be more effective than the indian inks I'm using now!

Edited May 12, 2020 by Lacathedrale

[brossard]

I got it in a DIY store here in Canada so the brand may not be available where you are.  For the record it is Saman and is Medium (not dark) brown.  The stain is water based.  I have a smallish bottle that has done a lot of timbers.

 

https://www.saman.ca/en/products/finishes-interior-woodwork/waterbased-stain

 

Cheers

 

John

[Gordon A]

Hobby Craft sell spirit permanent markers in various shades. I have used brown, black and silver after gluing down my plywood sleepers to good effect and less messy.

 

Gordon A