Track Color

Track takes on colors of its environment.  We mostly see track of a gray-brown rust with gray to creosote blackened ties.  But sometimes the colors can be surprising.

This photo feature presents track in the Smokey Mountains of the southeastern United States, along part of Doe River Gorge Ministries' railroad, part of the storied Tweetsie railroad.

This area is frequently damp, mountains shading the line from the sun, with abundant organic matter to attach to metal and wood.  Note the green rail.

Pattern of wheel polishing

In-use brown rail

Rail dusty and dry, oily and grimy

Curvature of rail head and wheel wear

Brown rail inside, green rail outside

Green rail

Rail color unused for a while

Rail and ties with similar coloring, plus vegetation

Variety of wood colors

Oil and dust and moss