Ballasting advice

[4073]

I have started to ballast my model railway layout. I chose to use Woodland Scenics 00 Medium Mixed Grey Ballast.

I understand some modellers use a mix of 00 & N size ballast.

This is my first attempt at ballasting & I have read lots of information on how to do this including looking at videos

But theres nothing like actually doing this.

I have firstly ensured that the ballast is tampt down properly before gluing.

I found using Ballast Magic (mixed as instructed) did not glue all the ballast properly.

So I have reverted to the tried & tested method of 50:50 PVA & water with a few drops of washing up liquid added to reduce surface tension. That works a treat. I think its better that Ballast Magic!

However, there are areas where the ballast isn't very uniform on drying. There are areas between some sleepers where the ballast hasn't settled sufficiently & this requires topping up.

My question is can I add a second very thin layer of ballast onto a already completed section of track?

If so would you recommend me using Fine Ballast or N gauge ballast to fill these areas?

What is your advice please?

Thank you very much for help.

[dasatcopthorne]

There is no problem topping up and yes, I would now use the Fine grade.

 

Best of luck.

 

Dave Smith

[HLT 0109]

As dasatsopthorne says, there is no problem in topping up.  Dependent on which PVA you have used, you may find that surrounding areas that are satisfactory are softened when topping up -  as long as you don't disturb those areas, they will dry again.  I woould not however, top up with the finer product as it may look obvious that a repair has been carried out.

 

Harold.