Ballasting - part 1

As I mentioned, I'm currently working in Derwin's Drop on my layout - The Bayside & Tidewater. The ballasting is not completely done so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to do a series here at Scratchbuilder's Guild.

Every model railroader has their own method for laying ballast. I've used many of them over the years. The method I'll describe here is what I am currently using and works well for me. You may find that some of the things I do don't seem to work for you. You should hunt around the internet and/or ask other model railroaders how they do ballast. Then experiment with several methods to come up with your own ballasting technique.

So, get your shovel and gravel ready...

The Area

This is the area I will be ballasting for this series. It is a small section of Derwin's Drop. I chose it because it has regular track, a turnout and ground throws. Each of these have their own tricks and methods, so I'll be able to show you almost all the scenarios you'll come up against.

One other note. I used 1/4" ply for roadbed that does not have a beveled edge. Therefore I'll have to use a bit more ballast to get a nice grade. If you use a commercial roadbed that is already beveled this method will work just as well, if not better.

(Note: click pictures to see a larger version)

Basic Supplies

The photo at the right shows some of the basic supplies and tools I use for laying ballast. I use white glue (full strength and a 50/50 mix of white glue and water) to hold the ballast in place. The bottle between the two glue bottles is straight rubbing alcohol. It is used as a whetting agent to hold the ballast in place while the glue is applied and to help the ballast absorb the glue faster.

(Hint: buy a 4 liter jug of white glue - it's cheaper and you'll use a lot of it during the construction of your model railroad)

The two plastic containers are just left over food containers for holding and mixing ballast.

Coffee is a necessity any time I work on the layout. Actually, it is a necessity anytime I'm doing anything - driving, watching TV, breathing (but don't drink and breath at the same)...

I've only used Woodland Scenics ballast, but there are several brands available. Some companies have ballasts in colours that are such a close match to prototype colours that they name them according to the Railroad. Arizona Rock and Mineral, for example, has a Southern Pacific Cinder ballast and a Norfolk Southern & CSX ballast.

Most railroads used a variety of materials for ballast, depending on whether it is for a heavily used mainline or seldom used industrial tracks. Since I don't model a particular prototype, I use WS medium grey for mainline track, sometimes with a bit of fine grey mixed in. On sidings and industrial track I use the fine grey or fine dark grey ballast. Sometimes I don't use any ballast at all, or very little, and let the weeds take over the right-of-way.

This picture shows the medium grey and fine dark grey ballast material. I sometimes blend these in various proportions to get a variety of ballast textures. I try to use just one texture for mainlines, and several colors and texture blends for sidings and industrial tracks.

Well, this is getting kind of long for one post. In part two I'll demonstrate my method for adding ballast.

See you later!

Scott