How to Ballast and Weather Realistic Model Railroad Track
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video I will show you how to ballast and weather model railroad track. You can use this method and technique for any scale model railroad track.
#worldsgreatesthobby #trains #unionpacific #ballast #southwest #desert #hoscale #newmexico #hoscaletrains #modeltrain #modeltrains #modelrailroad #ballastingtrack
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No I haven’t glued it down yet
Great video! Just a recommendation, paint the ties before ballast, you wont be having to worrie about getting paint on the ballast and get more done faster.
Thank you! Great idea! I thought about that, but I was thinking that the wet water with alcohol would ruin the paint or something. But I will paint the ties first next time as I noticed that the wet water didn’t affect the rails that were painted in acrylic paint. Thank you for the compliment and for watching my video!
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest good thinking. I like to not 'spray' the track as many people like to do but drop alcohol first then glue. Everyone has the methods, just things I'd like to share. I'm in n scale so less forgiving!
@@NoFear2473651 I agree with not spraying the track, it can get messy and ruin the ballast if you spray too hard. I like the dropper method too. I’m always open for suggestions as you said everyone has different methods. It’s nice to see how other modelers do stuff.
Absolutely LOVED the video, that Southwestern look is exactly what I’m going for, what did you use for the dirt, love the color
Thank you so much! I love the Southwest. I have a how to video on how I complete this type of scenery. It shows exactly what I use. I use a lot of products from Arizona Rock and Minerals.
Thank you for watching!
Here is the link.
th-cam.com/video/j0Ip6X18Ptk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ANMcg6zg6xKEQgx1
Howzit : Before glue application; gently tap the track railheads to [ naturally ] settle the Ballast away from the inside web of the rails ... And then gently run a wooden skewer-tip along the inside web of the rail as a double-check for wheel-flange clearance. The same can be done with Turnouts; but needless to say; Turnouts need extra care and attention .... And there you go; mate !
“Keep it between the rails” That’s what she said!
Here comes trouble. Haha!
Nice!! Is there any disadvantage to painting the ties before putting the track down on the board/display? I'm really wanting to start model railroading in O scale. As a starter project I'd like to make a small section (3' or less) for displaying or photographing engines and such. Figured it would be good practice for layout scenery.
Really well done - I love the weathering effects at the end. Very realistic! Thanks for sharing 🤠
Thank you very much! There is no disadvantage to painting them before. I was using acrylics and I was worried that the alcohol in the wet water was going to cause an issue with the paint. You can paint them first and then ballast. It won’t be a problem. Building a small section for photography would be a great start and practice. You can also just hit the entire track with a single coat of brown paint if you don’t want to paint each tie. Thank you for the kind words!
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest Ah I didn't catch that... makes sense. Thanks for the info!
You mentioned how the weathering would look much different for yard tracks then a well-traveled main line. Any chance you’ll be demo’ing your technique for yard tracks or perhaps rarely used/over-grown sidings? Really enjoyed this tutorial! Thanks for putting it together.
That may be soon to come. I want to do a photo diorama to take photos outside. I’m thinking of doing a yard diorama because I have extra Peco switches from my old layout. Thank you for the compliment!
Hi JT... Liked your tutorial on track ballasting... and your layout looking pretty realistic.. so I liked and subscribed....Darrell
Thank you very much Darrell! I appreciate that! Thank you for watching and subscribing!
JT Good trip on your model Railroad main line trains friend Cephalon updates your beautiful layouts friend
Thank you! Thank you for watching my video!
Awesome job. I wasn’t sure where you going at first but the result is phenomenal!
Thank you I really do appreciate that!
great video JT and layout looking great. Take care - Kevin
Thank you Kevin!
Thanks for the tips I’m brand new to the hobby I built my 4x8 table myself then decided to build a simple oval with spurs Cannot find a NY and Atlantic locomotive
Thank you for watching my video. 4x8 is the best to start out with. I hope you enjoy the hobby. I think Altas produced some NY and Atlantic models a while back. The only thing I can recommend is to keep an eye out on eBay. You can also get on some Facebook groups and ask if anyone has some engines o that paint scheme that they are willing to part with.
Awesome technique. Thanks!
Thank you! And thank you for watching.
Excellent video, this will be my next step on my layout, very well explained and picked up some great tips to try as I'm doing this for the first time, awesome stuff, thanks for this! -Ken
I’m glad this video was helpful! I hope to see your ballasting progress in your upcoming videos. Thank you for watching and for the compliment on my video!
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest i should have my first ballast video out in a couple weeks, been a little busy and just waiting on a couple more things to come in the mail, excited to get some ballast down soon! Take care. -Ken
@@sunnysiderails397 looking forward to seeing that ballast completed ! Have a great day!
Great video! Was looking for just this. I’m at this point with my own layout. I really like the way yours looks.
Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked the video! Thank you for the compliment!
Try Elmer's glue all, cheap and very available . Thin with Windex and water.
Great video!
Thank you for watching!
How do you clean the track after applying the weathering items?
@@daletherail I usually use either a bright boy or isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel ran across the railheads.
Hi Model Railroading The s & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Model Railroading The s & Friends Randy
Thank you for watching Randy!
Indonesia nonton video si bos ya
Ahhh I have never seen your face!
Haha scary huh!
Happy little rocks...
Will i need to clean the glue off the track? After i did this the train is glitchy
Yes. You can use a piece of wood or a bright boy track cleaner. Don’t use sand paper. Just run the bright boy or piece of wood over top of the rails.
Nice tips to follow if and when I start to build a layout. 😊
I’m glad this video is helpful! Thank you for watching my video!
Awesome video!!! Thank you
Thank you!! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent!
Thank you very much!
Great video. Do you put ballast on tracks inside tunnels!
Thank you. I don’t usually put ballast all the way through the tunnel. I put just a bit so that it’s visible from outside the tunnel portal. Thanks for watching!
Btw excellent video
What brush you use for spreading ballast ?
I’m not sure. I bought a bunch of brushes once at an estate sale. The big plush brush is a makeup brush for sure. I think the smaller one is a paint brush that is about 1/2” to 3/4” wide. I would recommend to buy a makeup brush set at Walmart. There are several sizes that can be used for everything on the layout. The link shows a nice cheap set.
www.walmart.com/ip/890397279
I have free access to cat litter I heard you can use that and watered down Elmer’s glue let me know if that is correct
I have heard the same about cat litter, although I do not have any experience using litter. The only draw back that I can see using litter is that it absorbs moisture and I’m not sure how that would affect the gluing process. There might be some videos on here showing the use of kitty litter.
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest
I haven’t seen an issue when using watered down Elmer’s glue I have titebond glue which works same as Elmer’s glue
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest
I just unpacked my Union Pacific 3450 which I believe is a SD40-2 dcc sound I’m running DC but still hear engine and bell using rail power 1300 for now till my dad comes down and can help me wire it all up
@@NYandAtlantic Nice dude, what brand is it? If you don’t want to get into a full fledged DCC system and still want to be able to access sounds and be able to change settings on your sound decoders you can get the MRC Tech 6. It can run both DC and DCC engines at the touch of a button and it is affordable. I used one for maybe 10 years until I decided to go with a Digitrax DCS-52.
This is the MRC Tech 6: www.trainworld.com/mrc-0001200-tech-6-sound-controller-2-0-mrc-0001200.html
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest
It’s name is railpower 1300 bext year I will upgrade have a few things with my mortgage to straighten out first
Awesome Joe!!!
Thank you Keffrey!
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest You're welcome JOWRE!!!
@@Chessie1985 LOL
[thank, you for youre great video]👍
Thank you for watching! I appreciate it!
Do you use anything to fix the powders after you apply them to the track, ie wet water? Thanks.
I don’t actually. It would be a good idea seeing that the powders can rub off easily if you’re using some sort of chemical or alcohol to clan the track if you hit the ties accidentally. You can use a matte finish spray paint if you would like to fix powders. Something like Testors.
I was wondering the same since i have to vacuum the dust off my layout from time to time so everything has to be fixed down. Sadly with powders, their effect gets muted by most matte clear coats it seems.
@@cj5driver551 So after a few months I have noticed that the powders have been fine after cleaning the track and all that jazz. So I’m almost certain that the ballast will be safe without a matter coat.
TH-cam recommended your channel to me, glad it did, great video JT, keep em coming...Reid 👍
P.S you've got another sub here too😀
Thank you very much! I just saw one of your videos and you've got another sub too!
Morning JT I used for ballast used coffee grinds They were putting in sidewalks so I sifted some of it wound up with a 4lb container full
Good morning! I saw your video of the coffee grounds for ballast. Looks good to me!
@@modelrailroadingthesouthwest
Ahh that’s good I’m in the midst of adding train station hopefully Bradford exchange fixes problem with coal tender or I’ll have to look for a different steam engine and passenger cars
Your ballast technique works for me as I have an assortment of brushes. Great video
@@NYandAtlantic that sucks about your train not working that great. Hopefully you get it back soon. I’m glad this technique is working for you!
This the first video of yours that I have come across. It was very well done.
I was just wondering how many feet of rail you have on your layout? I’m somewhere north of 300’. The thought of painting that many ties is daunting. But, the overall effect you achieved is great.
Time hit the subscribe button 😊
Thank you for the compliment and thank you for watching. I think I’m at 35’ or so of track so nowhere near as much as you. What I didn’t show in the video was that I originally air brushed the track months ago in a grimy brown color for a base coat. Which would look great with ballast and a little weathering powders. What would recommend is doing just that, a base coat of grimy brown and weathering powders. Then maybe on areas where you think that might attract more attention from visitors you could paint the individual ties for more detail. Thank you again!
Ever weather concrete tie track?
I have a while back. Spray the ties with a very light coat of a thin grimey paint. You don’t want to over do the weathering on the ties. Look at pictures to see how dark to make the ties. Then you could paint the sides of the rails a rusty colored paint pen. Woodland Scenics makes nice paint pens.
You need to weather the rails
They are weathered. They were painted prior to the video being made.
what track do you use?
Walthers Code 83.
That looks good cuzzo, I’m going to trying that when I start ballasting my track👍🏿
Thanks dude! I hope your ballast comes out great. Thank you for watching!
What track did you use I went with Atlas snap track code 100 no issues so far
This is Walthers Code 83 Flex Track. This is my first time using Walthers track. It’s good. I used to use Atlas Code 83 Flex track. I honestly didn’t see a difference between the two.
That was an awesome tutorial JT, great effects and the track looks realistic with the different colors. I think your rails were painted, when and how did you do them?
Thank you very much. Yes you're right they were painted already. I mixed up a dirty brown color with cheap Walmart acrylic paints and airbrushed them.
A+ in my book
Thank you so much!!
Looks awesome
Thank you!
What's with the cheesy track nails! Terrible--ruins everything!
Use glue!!!
Thank you for the advice! I really appreciate it!
Good video. Nice job
Thank you very much!
Sensacional, top
Thank you!
This is the most comprehensive and creative set of techniques I have come across. It has also convinced me to go back and improve my existing ballast which is mediocre at best. Any tips on how to do that?
Thank you very much for watching my video and the kind words! One way that I can suggest is to maybe remove the ballast and reapply. That would also mean to remove the track and lay it again. (There is a possibility that the ballast with loosen up enough to be vacuumed up. While you are vacuuming use a paint brush to agitate that ballast to help the vacuum remove all the ballast.) I’m not sure where you are on you layout scenery wise. If you decide to remove your ballast, you can add either alcohol or dish detergent in a spray bottle with water and spray the ballast down and let it soak. Then you can use a putty knife to remove it. If you’d like, you can send me photos of your ballasted track and I can try to come up with a different solution to fix your ballast. You can find my email in my bio on TH-cam.