Yes im the same dont like ballasting.So devised a way to ballast.First you lay your track then put as big a piece of cork that you can,i use 1/8" then you can cut or mark it with a pencil/pen.I then treat all that cork with undiluted PVA put it under the track pin it down then put the ballast on the top.Pushing the centre vallast down with fingers.Leave overnight then vacuuum the loose ballast.for the point i do them individually as you can treat the cork to areas that you want to.It takes some practise,like all things but the end results are as good if not better than the old ways.which like yourself i hated doing.1 thing to note gat the consistancy correct when you are gluing the cork.I started off on small track/cork.when i had the confidence i moved straight onto 3m pieces even curved Peco ns Streamline.the 1 thing its a bit messy but has saved me hours n hours of mundane ballasting.have a go see what you think

david

Thats a good idea, I have used 1/16th cork on the track so far.  I found John Lewis PVA to be the best as its washable and easy to lift off if you change your mind on the track plan  

The reason i use 1/8" is that i can lay thin double sided foam tape,this then acts as the cess + as its 1/8" cork the tape rises to the correct level,I will then be using various ideas like static grass + earth colours to build up a scene beyond the track.have go at the track laying i think you will ,with a bit of practice get a bit of joy when ballasting,instead of the O No syndrome

david