I’m assembling a bridge that is going into my mainline and so was going to paint the bridge track that runs over it (it is Micro Engineering track on a Walthers truss). What color(s) should I use to paint the the bridge track? Would they be the same as the colors for regular track or would the absence of ballast and consequent greater exposure to the weather produce a somewhat grayer color on the bridge track? Any thoughts on this. Thanks.
Brad
It seems to me that bridge track timbers are more heavily creosoted than standard ties, so that, when new, they were a greasy-shiny deep brown - almost black. The timberwork on the IRT elevated lines (seen from the top) weathered out to a lighter brown, but definitely not grey. The undersides stayed dark and greasy-looking, because the creosote, being suspended in mid-air, had no place to go.
If you look through my stuff I wrote a whole chunk on the weathering of bridge track about last November… and before that tons of stuff on ballast/track colours etc.
Hope you can find it 
I airbruhe ME or Central Valley track with roof brown and weathered black mix. Then drybruhe darker stained ties between the rails. On the ME flex the rails are brushed to roof brown. Then wipe off the railhead and poli***o remove residue. The CV ties the track is added later. Use weathered rail or paint to weather to suit.
Bob K.