Jump to content
 
  • entries
    29
  • comments
    525
  • views
    52,436

ballast...


bcnPete

1,352 views

Good evening,

 

The target this weekend was to undertake the ballasting - as usual, a tedious exercise, despite given the relatively small size of the layout.

 

As usual, I use the Woodland Scenics fine grey chips and these were applied onto pre spread PVA using a mixture of paint brushes and cocktail sticks.

 

I had pre painted the sleepers and chairs with a view to pre painting the rail and threading it but due to lack of progress I ended up cracking on with finishing the track so I will have to hand paint the rail(s) later.

 

I also managed to apply the first coat of paint to the buffer stops and checking the prototype was surprised to see they were black with white - just got to do the red stripe now.

 

A few pics:

 

blogentry-3290-0-09027100-1364940298_thumb.jpg

 

blogentry-3290-0-90948900-1364940483.jpg

 

blogentry-3290-0-55753200-1364940518.jpg

 

blogentry-3290-0-99894600-1364940715_thumb.jpg

 

Next job is to make the station canopy...

 

That's it really - small progress, short blog entry but at least moving in the right direction...which it needs to with only 39 days remaining... :O

  • Like 21

11 Comments


Recommended Comments

That looks spot on Pete. IMO poor ballasting can often detract from an otherwise really good layout - as it's tedious, as you say, and hence often rushed - but no such worries here! Makes such an difference to the overall visual impact too.

Graham

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

Good work as usual Pete, the buffers stops in particular look great. Regarding pre-painting the rail before threading, I suspect it would make the rail harder to thread.

Don

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

That's good progress Pete. It's always a small victory when you make it past a task that you find tedious.

 

Painting rails before threading doesn't work very well for me - the paint gets chipped/torn whenever there's a tight chair etc. But I suppose it depends on the primer/paint you use, too. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment

That looks excellent Pete. I was thinking of using silver sand for my ballasting requirements, but will now look at the work you have done. I must admit it is a tedious job but the results are much better when you take your time with it.

 

I must admit, the colour of the ballast looks good enough to not require painting - it certainly would look OK as it is in a goods yard. I will have to do further research on this to satisfy myself this is the way for me to go.

 

Rob

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Excellent ballasting Pete! Is it best to paint down the PVA first with 2FS track or can you still use the dry ballast sparayed with water (drop of washing up liquid), then watered down PVA dropped on using eye droper technique?

Best regards,

Jeremy

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

Nice work Pete.

 

Ballasting looks spot on.  Those buffer stops look good too and it is suprising how they vary in prototype form.

 

As for loosing your replies. A long GT and relax this evening after you finish should put you in a suitable frame of mind for replies. :D

 

It's suprising how you're progressing with this layout Pete. A little bit here and there and you're nearly on to the scenic stage which will be a relief no doubt.

 

Not quite on the music countdown for the TV programme '24' ;)

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

That looks spot on Pete. IMO poor ballasting can often detract from an otherwise really good layout - as it's tedious, as you say, and hence often rushed - but no such worries here! Makes such an difference to the overall visual impact too.

Thanks Graham - the overhead shots reveal a few bald patches though!...

 

Good work as usual Pete, the buffers stops in particular look great. Regarding pre-painting the rail before threading, I suspect it would make the rail harder to thread.

 

That's good progress Pete. It's always a small victory when you make it past a task that you find tedious.

 

Painting rails before threading doesn't work very well for me - the paint gets chipped/torn whenever there's a tight chair etc. But I suppose it depends on the primer/paint you use, too.

Thanks Don and Mikkel - yep, I realised I had that problem on the Moorswater comp entry...and that was only short lengths of curved track...it will be out with the detail brushes me thinks...

 

That looks excellent Pete. I was thinking of using silver sand for my ballasting requirements, but will now look at the work you have done. I must admit it is a tedious job but the results are much better when you take your time with it.

I must admit, the colour of the ballast looks good enough to not require painting - it certainly would look OK as it is in a goods yard. I will have to do further research on this to satisfy myself this is the way for me to go.

 

Thanks Rob - I think silver sand is a good option - I only use the Woodland scenics stuff to finish up what I have of it...but a bit finer would be nice.

 

Excellent ballasting Pete! Is it best to paint down the PVA first with 2FS track or can you still use the dry ballast sparayed with water (drop of washing up liquid), then watered down PVA dropped on using eye droper technique?

Thanks Jeremy - I use to do the dry ballast then mist coating for years then for some reason (I can't recall at the mo) I reverted to the apply the PVA first method and sprinkle....tedious and strangely therapautic...

 

Nice work Pete.

 

Ballasting looks spot on. Those buffer stops look good too and it is suprising how they vary in prototype form.

As for loosing your replies. A long GT and relax this evening after you finish should put you in a suitable frame of mind for replies.

It's suprising how you're progressing with this layout Pete. A little bit here and there and you're nearly on to the scenic stage which will be a relief no doubt.

Not quite on the music countdown for the TV programme '24'

 

Thanks Mark - No G+T though...strictly dry during weekdays for 3 years now ;)

 

I have that 24 music in my head now...:D

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Premium

Nice ballasting work, Pete.   Great demarcation between the two colors and do I detect actual gaps under the rails?  Once again, to do that in 2mm is amazing as I've only managed to start getting that prototypical look in 4mm!!  Even finding it impossible to spot the gap line along the hinge joint.  Brilliant attention to detail as usual and coming together fast now.  Also agree with Rob's comment - no need to weather this.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

Nice ballasting work, Pete. Great demarcation between the two colors and do I detect actual gaps under the rails? Once again, to do that in 2mm is amazing as I've only managed to start getting that prototypical look in 4mm!! Even finding it impossible to spot the gap line along the hinge joint. Brilliant attention to detail as usual and coming together fast now. Also agree with Rob's comment - no need to weather this.

Thanks Mike - yes, that should be a slight shadow you are reading of the gap beneath the rail, although it may vary along the length due to concentration levels! The other ballast colour is to break up the monotony a little as per the Kyle layout and I will probably add a little more ballast to the end of the bay siding (as per the prototype pic I have) and a little grass to the end of the other one.

Link to comment

As I'm a good bit back from ballasting, now is the time to learn....

 

I certainly saw some 'failed' examples at today's Elgin Show, which made me realise it isn't as simple as I'd guessed - unless your track is laid over foam strip 'ballast'.

 

I wonder how you ensure there's no glue on the rails or atop any sleepers?

 

I suspect getting those right would be so demanding you may be obliged to ballast very few sleepers at a time......

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

For sure it's tedious slow work and the 'lay dry and soak in glue method' is no doubt quicker in some respects but having spent a lot of time trying to get track looking right it seems a shame to rush the ballasting which can then spoil it.

 

A quick swipe with a finger normally gets rid of excess glue on the sleepers etc and a clean up of the rails with a screw driver afterwards normally returns running qualities back...

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...