BR Western Region 1965 - SE Wales - what ballast recommended for N Gauge?

[JeffPreston]

Hi all!

I'll be brief...

BR Western Region 1965 - SE Wales - what ballast recommended for N Gauge? (Not foam).

Thanks!

[A.Carter (BiG-T)]

There is a couple of modellers experimenting with Chinchilla sand we are awaiting feedback. failing that Woodland Scenics extra fine ballast. If it is colour you are after It is usually a matter of preference if you cannot find any photos or the era and area you are modelling.
I am modelling modern image and they have recently re-laid and re-ballasted a section of track not far from my home, this was done with a light grey ballast and concrete sleepered track I did a section of the layout the same and I think it looks c**p so unless I can dye it down or paint it I may have to lift it and re-ballast.
Learning from this get some scrap piece's of track mount on a piece of board and test different ballasts and mixtures until you get one that looks right, remember the colour will change after gluing and drying.

Tony

[DJM Dave]

Having searched loads of western hydraulic books for my new layout, it's  light beige ballast colour you need.
I spoke to Ben ( he of Barton Road fame) who's ballast ing and colour are spot on to me, he says he used geoscenics ballast ( I forget the product number, sorry)
I hope this helps?
Cheers
Dave

[JeffPreston]

Many thanks to Tony and Dave!

I am indeed practising with some spare track and with different ballast. And the photos I have found look like light beige too!

And... I grew up in the region and it matches my memories - not very scientific but it "looks" right to me.

I've used the 50% PVA glue with a drop of washing up liquid applied to pre-water-sprayed-track method and the results so far are excellent!

Thanks again!

[494baker]

I had quite a lot of fun with scrap rails and ballast to get the looks I wanted.  Dont be afraid to try colour washing the ballast.  I used the woodland scenics extra fine in grey and then used some light rust acrylic paint watered down about 1 paint to 4 water to colour the ballast.  Once confident you have the right mix then varieties of colours can be used to vary the scene.
By the way - not sure if it is UK wide but my local Lidl store is selling packs with 12 tubes of acrylic paint for £2.49 at the moment.  They also have some pastel chalks at the same price - which are great for weathering buildings etc.

[JeffPreston]

Hi 494baker:

Whoa - many thanks - great tips!

Yes - I have a Lidl shop nearby - thanks for the hot leads.     One of the fun things about this hobby is that from time to time one can find something that sells for a fraction of the cost that it would if sold by a specialist shop.   


Hmmm... that could be an interesting line for a forum post (if not already done    )  ... "What product have YOU found lately that "sells for a fraction of the cost that it would if sold by a specialist shop"?   

[494baker]

Found another useful source today.

Went into my local picture framing shop and asked the guy who owned it if I could buy off-cuts of mounting card.  He gave me quite a lot of off-cuts (some as big as A4) - and it is really good quality card for models of buildings etc.

[JeffPreston]

Splendid! That's what I meant. Anyone else got a story? 

[dodger]

From the 1960's to the mid-90's the Western Region used limestone ballast which is a beige colour. When they took over the Southerns withered arm more and more use was made of Meldon Quarry resulting in the closure of the quarry between Newport Abbot & Plymouth.

Dodger

[JeffPreston]

Many thanks Dodger!