Protecting/sealing wooden tracks [TANKS]

["Cooper, Nigel" <nigel.cooper-at-hp.com>]

   Could someone help with options to protect and paint my wooden track
pieces? I am wanting to protect the wood from damage from moisture and
hopefully,at the same time get them painted flat black or green ect.
  Is this possible in one step or do I have to seal the wood with one
product and paint with another,that is compatable?
   From my reading,I would like to paint the tracks with polyurethane
first but have no idea what kind of coloured paint will adhere to
this.Tremclad,Latex,Oil??
        Thanks in advance,
                   nc