Tortuga Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 9 hours ago, BobM said: The musing is how to approach the 'sensitive' bits of points when it concerns ballasting, particularly the area around the 'switch' blades themselves and protecting the contacts...... I am now the stage where I have ballasted and blending in a sand an ash mix toThe easiest method would be to just paint the cork to darken and camouflage it or to fill the area with fine ballast and use an eye-dropper to fix this with a weak pva / water mix, or fill the area with the dark sand / ash I've created and then to fix this, again with the pva / water mixture. Out of your three options you’ve outlined, I’d go for the third one for consistency and place the ballast mix one sleeper gap at a time using a minimal amount and a small paintbrush to position and pack it. Also be sparing with the pva/water mix when gluing - IIRC two drops per sleeper gap is plenty. The real b****r is the tiny gap either side of the tie bar: I think I used a watchmakers screwdriver to push fine (Woodland Scenics) ballast down the gap, repeatedly moving the tie bar side to side and relying on capillary action of the glue mix from the surroundings to secure it. It’s fiddly to do and a right royal pain in the a**e, but it looked OK. I wasn’t happy with the visual effect of the spring mechanism or the thickness of the tie bar though, so next attempt involved removing the spring and filing the tie bar down which resulted in a bigger gap either side of the tie bar - I’d imagine ballasting this would be less fiddly, but I never found out as I found other parts of PECO points started to jar with me! On Rylstone (still constructing baseboards) I’ll be hand building the track using C&L components and intend to lay the sleepers and ballast around them prior to installing the rails. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 (edited) Hi Guys..... Sorry it's been a while since posting something, however have been testing out a process that i feel is making progress and giving the require results.... Begin by spreading very small amounts of the Arley ash / baked silver sand mixture by teaspoon on to the sleepers of the desired points (including now the double or single slips), this is then gently spread into the gaps between the sleepers and allow to seep itself under the rails into gap beneath where it may approach the 'sensitive' area....... ......this mixture is pressed or gently packed down to consolidate somewhat..... ........the area to be 'fixed' is sprayed with a water / washing up liquid mixture to dampen the sand mixture...... ......using a very weak pva / water mix (this delivered by a thin brush) is made up from using the 'dregs' of pva left behind in a bottle of pva glue and shaken to mix up, is then 'spotted' on to the sand mix between each sleeper gap by single drop per section and then left to dry........ next morning, the area 'fixed' is hoovered to see what is loose, if necessary the process repeated to fill anything removed, 9/10 everything is okay, tested the points to ensure nothing is sticking together, again at the moment everything seems okay...... colouring and weathering of sand will be required later but 'happy' with results....... Thank you greatly for the guidance in this process.....hope this helps to indicate the way I have approached this 'delicate' ballasting area...... 1. Spread the ballast over the sleepers - 2. Dry brush into the gaps and consolidated gently - 3. Spray with mister with water to dampen thoroughly - 4. Using a damp brush, spot drop a very weak solution of PVA/ water mix, this moves through by capillary action into the wetted mixture 5. Allow to set - hoover off unstet mix and repeat if necessary..... Produced this...... Have begun to use the same technique on the slips - gently!! Any good? Regards always.... Bob Edited July 9, 2019 by BobM 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted July 8, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 8, 2019 There you go Bob. Nothing to be frightened of afterall eh? Regards lez. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted July 9, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 9, 2019 looks great 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 (edited) Evening my friends..... All well I hope....? In the absence of any great amount of free time at the moment (indeed at anytime during this time of year) work on Cambrian Street is limited, however I have been continuing the ballasting of the yard and station throat, this being done in short hour 'therapeutic' intervals...... the area expands, hopefully to good effect...? Regards always Bob Edited July 15, 2019 by BobM 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted July 15, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 15, 2019 Nice work Bob. Just keep going and it'll soon be done and then you can colour it all to bring it all together. regards Lez. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 4 minutes ago, lezz01 said: Nice work Bob. Just keep going and it'll soon be done and then you can colour it all to bring it all together. regards Lez. Hi my friend.... Thank you for your kind comments, yes I have the idea to continue to work on ballasting the area up to where the station platforms begin and then halt to weather. colour and tie all together, thereafter move on to the point control within the station itself and then start to form up the platforms...? Regards always, Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted July 15, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 15, 2019 I would put the platform edging in b4 you ballast the station area Bob. So get the points working, install the platforms and then ballast mate. Regards Lez. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 24 minutes ago, lezz01 said: I would put the platform edging in b4 you ballast the station area Bob. So get the points working, install the platforms and then ballast mate. Regards Lez. Cheers Lez..... Should be an interesting autumn and winter moving into the station itself...intend to take it slowly....! Regards always,,,, Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted July 20, 2019 Author Share Posted July 20, 2019 (edited) Hi Guys..... A message to say that I haven't forgotten you......but busy 'gardening stuff and SVR matters'....however have continued the ballasting process, using a method which I know will confirm your suspicions that I am 'bonkers' but find not only therapeutic but am comfortable with to provide the desired effect......only ballasting about 9 x sleeper lengths of track at a time, placing a blob of pva in the centre of the gap between each, spread this through the 4' with a piece of brass rod to even out, allow to settle for 5 mins and soak a bit into the cork, then sprinkle a sparing amount ballast onto the sleeper tops, this then spread gently across the length of track with a dry. soft brush and gently firming by fingertip pressure into place....allowed to dry then excess hovered away when set.....any small gaps having a dab of pva glue onto which a very slight sprinkling of ballast can be applied...... I find that I can move along a length of track with this method quite readily and keep a uniform texture and spread of ballast, rather than using the flood fill method, which I find (perhaps I'm doing something wrong in the process) produces a rather 'fluffy and gravely look...? In the light of the above...perhaps I should use a new profile picture...? Regards always, Bob RIP Brother Belcher (aka Peter Butterworth) Edited July 20, 2019 by BobM 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted July 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 20, 2019 Sounds good Bob. Regards Lez. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37Oban Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 10 hours ago, BobM said: Hi Guys..... A message to say that I haven't forgotten you......but busy 'gardening stuff and SVR matters'....however have continued the ballasting process, using a method which I know will confirm your suspicions that I am 'bonkers' but find not only therapeutic but am comfortable with to provide the desired effect......only ballasting about 9 x sleeper lengths of track at a time, placing a blob of pva in the centre of the gap between each, spread this through the 4' with a piece of brass rod to even out, allow to settle for 5 mins and soak a bit into the cork, then sprinkle a sparing amount ballast onto the sleeper tops, this then spread gently across the length of track with a dry. soft brush and gently firming by fingertip pressure into place....allowed to dry then excess hovered away when set.....any small gaps having a dab of pva glue onto which a very slight sprinkling of ballast can be applied...... I find that I can move along a length of track with this method quite readily and keep a uniform texture and spread of ballast, rather than using the flood fill method, which I find (perhaps I'm doing something wrong in the process) produces a rather 'fluffy and gravely look...? In the light of the above...perhaps I should use a new profile picture...? Regards always, Bob RIP Brother Belcher (aka Peter Butterworth) Hi Bob, there's no hard and fast rules to ballasting, just do what works for you, and if you enjoy it as well many would consider that a bonus! Roja 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 All okay I hope my friends..? So sincerely sorry and please forgive me for the lack of update postings, I have been just so busy with one thing and another (as anyone who lives alone will attest), although I continue to 'ballast slowly, working on the gardens, work and everything else, it's just been 'mad'...! Regards always, Bob 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 (edited) Evening Guys...... Hope all are well and for those that have encountered 'power difficulties' the 'old hamster' is now back on its wheel...? Just a quick update to say that the process of ballasting continues and just so you know I haven't been slacking in between this, nursery and tackling the back garden whilst the weather holds, have been busy at Arley tending the station gardens with my pals... A few view here,,,,, Regards always... Bob Edited August 9, 2019 by BobM 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted August 10, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 10, 2019 They look fabulous Bob. Lots of hard work there I would say. Regards Lez. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 You've been busy Bob, looks lovely, well done. Steve 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie586 Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 Looks really nice, Bob. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) Evening my friends.... Now that the evenings are drawing in quite noticeably, and especially this one with the rain hammering down, have spent an hour or so on Cambrian Street continuing the ballasting, will be moving on to the next set of point control hopefully soon, however I have my annual week away at the Older Upper Lighthouse on Portland Bill soon to rest up the old gardening boots...boy do I need a break...! A few views of the state of play...! A few here of Arley as it was on Thursday,,(remains in 'green; due to recent filming contract - hopefully back to dark and light stone for the Autumn Steam Gala).... Regards always, Bob Edited August 16, 2019 by BobM 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted August 16, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 16, 2019 It's all coming together now Bob. Regards Lez. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 (edited) Dear All..... Hope everyone is fine, have begun the process of attempting to tie all the ballasted station throat together, applying a weak wash of dark earth initially, the effect is seemingly darker in 'real life' than appears on this image but at the moment happy with the result....will apply further when dry, probably a dash of darker added, will then think about adding weed / grass indications.... Certainly has taken off the very stark grey look of new ballast,,,, Comments and advice appreciated as always..... Regards always, Bob Edited August 17, 2019 by BobM 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Bill37 Posted August 17, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 17, 2019 Looking good Bob. Bill. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted August 17, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 17, 2019 I agree with Bill it’s looking good Chris 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted August 17, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 17, 2019 Nice Bob Very nice. Regards Lez. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie586 Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Looks great, Bob. We went to Portland a few months ago, the old lighthouse would be a good place to stay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 On 18/08/2019 at 07:37, Charlie586 said: Looks great, Bob. We went to Portland a few months ago, the old lighthouse would be a good place to stay. Hi It is, looking forward to the break, the solitude and seeing owners Fran and Les again too.... Regards Bob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now