Such a little thing (as paint) makes all the difference: track weathering

Track weathering. It's awesome! What a difference 5 minutes and a spray can of Floquil Rail Brown can make!

Kalmbach's old Small Railroads You Can Build featured a 4' x 6' layout called the Yule Central that featured several innovations, such as extruded styrofoam scenery and weathered sectional track.  Author and Kalmbach Books Editor Bob Hayden's track weathering technique was simple: flat brown spray paint, then clean the railheads.

It was a stupendously revolutionary technique back in the 70s when that book came out--it could make sectional track actually look presentable.Still a great technique that dramatically improves the look of model railroad track in just a few minutes.