That's looking great! I guess with the UP power this is a desert-ish location - so does that mean you could do with using a lighter shade and more 'burnt grass' than green foliage?

You drive a hard bargain Mr Hilton

I thought I could get away with using the N gauge grey ballast I had. But having sat looking at the pictures, I think you are right. I could point out that UP covers a massive are and hence there must be a prototype for everything, but you would still be right.

So I have called at Pets at home and purchased a bag of Calcium Sand, its granular but finer than the Ballast I used, the main thing is its much lighter grey, much more as you would imaging it should be (I hope)

I will try it when I get home.

Excellent John - all meant with the best of intentions - to critique an already accomplished and superb modeller!

My experience in the bad lands around Calgary and Drumheller in Alberta, Canada, is that the ballast is sandier looking - but fresh stone could still be darker and greyer - so you can legitimately justify the existing ballast I expect!

Woodland Scenics do burnt and yellow grass as colours in the ground foam foliage and turf ranges - worth considering as well