...........................

I use Woodland Scenics fine scatter- black earth with a bit of brown added randomly. Then fixed down with diluted PVA.
Simple but works for me

If you're using something like a stone/granite ballast for the main lines,  grind some of that down to smaller particles/dust to give you a finer mix.  Once in place, spray it nice and muddy/rusty/dirty/oily sort of colours to taste,  and add some weeds etc.

You might want to have a word with lil chris as he has been doing this recently with his goods yard. See his topic - East Lancashire lines. Around about page 72 onwards he has found out what not to use and what has finally worked for him.
Good luck.
Delboy.

I used fine earth and brown fine ballast about 50 50 mix and sprayed it with sleeper grime

probably it needs some oil spill black adding in places as well... but it looks ok

cinder ash or earth is probably better for sidings unless it's modern or a newly laid siding

good luck


Tim

You might want to add some greenery to little-used sidings.

Quote from: keithfre on March 08, 2017, 03:47:22 PM
You might want to add some greenery to little-used sidings.

Agreed. I continue to hold up this as a prime example of how to do it...................
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=10430.msg377203#msg377203

And sidings often had rusty rails too!

I used Woodland Scenics ash ballast but I found it too starkly black and I wasn't able to get a satisfactory transition from the running lines. So for me this is definitely an area I want to work on. 



Chris Nevard uses air-dry clay pressed between the sleepers and then painted in suitable earthy shades. Looks very good indeed (in 00 gauge). He has posted a quick guide here:

http://nevardmedia.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/creating-effect-of-ash-ballast.html

If it's a coal yard, then fine sand coloured black and bits of coal will do. 

Quote from: Herzel on March 08, 2017, 12:26:46 PM
I did a search here on ballasting, looked at a few videos, and I think I get the gist of it. What I couldn't find is how modellers treat those sidings that look more filled with tamped-down mud than ballast – sometimes almost sinking the sleepers. Then the transition between ballast and mud. 

Has anyone a recipe for a suitable slurry to paste in, please?

I thought about Das Pronto worked into a sludge but worry that it might crack once set as the climate brings expansion and contraction. It would probably be mixed with a bit of scale rubble.

Although still working on the electronics of my effort it's something for which I can prepare at least. The tracks work fine.

Many thanks.

With regard to DAS and cracking, any cracks that do appear subsequently, can perhaps be treated with Mr Hobby liquid putty?

https://www.air-craft.net/acatalog/Mr-Dissolved-Putty.html?gclid=CPzriZSdydICFaMK0wodVsAFRg

I've used a mix of plaster, black powder paint, PVA and a bit of very fine ballast mixed in. The PVA prevents cracking and the powder paint provides a good base colour (will be grey rather than black, depending on the amount of black added). It can all be over-painted and blended in, perhaps a few weeds added using various scatter materials or static grass dependent on how well kept the sidings are.

Cheers
Paul

Google has an humongous amount of tips on ballasting and the magazines are full of hints and tips. Das clay seems to be the medium of choice -if it cracks, sowhat and just fill-in the crack?

QuoteI used fine earth and brown fine ballast about 50 50 mix and sprayed it with sleeper grime

...be aware.  If it's Woodland Scenic fine earth it ruined a section of my layout.  The fine earth brown colour leached out on contact with water and the dye contaminated everywhere else by capillary action!  I have purple and blue areas to re-paint now.