Question about yard tracks

[upnick]

Hi Guys,

Great tips here on the tracks good timing as i have started to ballast the N scale layout all looks ok up until the ballast is laid i drybrush the ties with interior stone to give a used look and then matt varnish the rails while wet dust with light rust/ dark rust and black Bragdons powders giving a good efect and have a ballast similar to Waynes Medium WS buff but when it is in place it looks to new and bright ...... do any of you apply a very thinned black wash to tone it down any ?

Also i have seen both inner and outer rails painted does this last on the inner rails with locos/stock going over and not gunge up the wheels on them or impede the signal DCC.