Help on Ballasting required

mojo · February 07, 2020, 09:16:08 AM

I need to cover a larger area than between the tracks as in normal ballasting for a steam shed layout.
Some parts are 3" to 4" in width and I have great difficulty in obtaining an even spread and coverage.
To be honest it looks a right bl----y mess!
Any tips?
MauriceC.

Markthetog · February 07, 2020, 09:41:18 AM

After trying several techniques my best results to date have been from using a Peedie Ballast spreader (much cheaper than Proses) and Deluxe Materials Ballast Magic. For long straight sections I've found that for me it gives the neatest results in the shortest time. Everyone has their favourite but that's mine. I use Woodland Scenics fine ballast.

Newportnobby · February 07, 2020, 10:07:44 AM

Quote from: mojo on February 07, 2020, 09:16:08 AM
I need to cover a larger area than between the tracks as in normal ballasting for a steam shed layout.
Some parts are 3" to 4" in width and I have great difficulty in obtaining an even spread and coverage.
To be honest it looks a right bl----y mess!
Any tips?
MauriceC.

How about putting down a membrane of cork first - cut to the desired shape of the infill. Then lay down the ballast of your choice and flatten with a small comb. You don't actually want a totally flat result but you also don't want N gauge mountains!! Good luck.

Alan Kyte · February 07, 2020, 10:13:48 AM

Quote from: Newportnobby on February 07, 2020, 10:07:44 AM
Quote from: mojo on February 07, 2020, 09:16:08 AM
I need to cover a larger area than between the tracks as in normal ballasting for a steam shed layout.
Some parts are 3" to 4" in width and I have great difficulty in obtaining an even spread and coverage.
To be honest it looks a right bl----y mess!
Any tips?
MauriceC.

How about putting down a membrane of cork first - cut to the desired shape of the infill. Then lay down the ballast of your choice and flatten with a small comb. You don't actually want a totally flat result but you also don't want N gauge mountains!! Good luck.

First time I infilled I put down way to much, now I put down as a little as possible with a view to adding more later if needed.. But still I see these perfectly ballasted tracks and look at mine and sigh, maybe weathering will tidy it

..

Used to use the 50/50 PVA mix but recently changed to WWS ballast glue, avoiding the need to pre-soak and it dries fast.. Still have to spend hours after removing it from the chairs and sleepers though (sigh again)... Mines on cork it does help with the look...

PLD · February 07, 2020, 10:20:23 AM

As per Mick's response - part infill with cork/card or whatever to reduced the depth of the ballast and you should get a neater final finish.

Karhedron · February 07, 2020, 11:06:15 AM

The area between tracks around sheds was rarely ballasted with neat stone like running lines. More often it was a compacted mix of ash and clinker that was a lot finer. The pictures below are fairly typical.

Rather than using loose ballast, you might have an easier time raising the surface with cork sheet as Newportnobby suggests. Then paint over this with textured paint. Tamiya and Games Workshop both make a range of paints for simulating earth and gravel. Astrogranite with a dirty wash might look good.

You can probably get a similar effect by mixing sand into cheaper acrylic paint if you want. I tried using Woodland Scenics fine cinder ballast around my engine shed but I wasn't really happy with the effect. In N gauge, even the fine stuff is too coarse to give the sort of finish shown in the pictures above.

Alan Kyte · February 07, 2020, 04:13:38 PM

Hi,

Was messing with some of this stuff ages back for roads, bit over scale so scrapped it, tried it again for Engine sheds and potentially works Depot, still think its over scale?

mojo · February 07, 2020, 10:24:12 PM

Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
The areas have been filled with card just thick enough to leave about 0.6mm. below the tops of the sleepers and the ballast I am using is almost dust, far smaller than the track ballast I have used.
Areas between tracks of about 0.75 to 1 inches have turned out fairly reasonable but anything wider seems to be a problem.
I will have a test using thinned acrylic paint mixed with a small amount of the ballast a.s.a.p.
Thanks again,
Maurice c.

emjaybee · February 08, 2020, 12:04:09 AM

I'm a long way from undertaking this task, but what about laying down a sheet of fine grade emery paper/cloth and giving it a wash over?

Newportnobby · February 08, 2020, 01:33:09 PM

A friend of mine glued down some of those thin green scourers you get (e.g. 6 in a pack) from supermarkets and painted them black. The result is actually very good.

Ingleborough · March 01, 2020, 10:55:23 AM

I use sand collected (and washed and sterilised- baked in the oven) from the beach. Different beaches give different particle sizes and colours. Once laid I air brush to weather and as required. I've also been experimenting with a pet product 'Bathing Sand' available from 'Pets At Home'please see my thread on RM web for full details.
https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/136284-shirebrook-n-gauge-1980s-era-layout/page/25/&tab=comments#comment-3858105
Cheers
Duncan

mojo · March 01, 2020, 12:53:16 PM

The difficulty I seem to have is how to achieve an even level of the ballast infill. Using dry ballast dust and trying to brush over a large area does not leave a suitable even level. Tried running a piece of card over with little or no success.
I have tried painting first with thinned PVA then sprinkling the ballast dust, also laying on a layer of ballast and wetting, then soaking with the PVA. Nothing has met with my approval so far
Maurice C.

Ingleborough · March 01, 2020, 01:32:08 PM

Hi Maurice,
Is there space for you to gently tap the area with a hammer, the vibrations should help level the ballast while it is dry. I use an atomiser to apply water with a drop of washing up liquid to pre- wet the ballast, then I add diluted pva glue with a dropper and allow the glue to gradually soak through the ballast.
Cheers
Duncan

mojo · March 01, 2020, 02:21:30 PM

Vibrating the area is something I have not tried but will have a go at for the next part.
I have used the standard method of wetting then soaking with diluted PVA (using a pipette) for this and track ballasting with fairly good results.
Maurice C.

ntpntpntp · March 01, 2020, 04:57:46 PM

Yes, the technique I was shown waaay back in the 70s at my club is pretty much the classic method: shovel ballast into place using a teaspoon, spread into place using a soft brush - eg. an old makeup brush, then use that same teaspoon to gently tap the rails and settle and bounce loose ballast off the tops of the sleepers. Then apply 50/50 watered down PVA.

It works fine and I find I enjoy ballasting as a restful evening exercise after a day's work