I tried a ballast hopper and gave up on it. Fine ballast is available from Woodland Scenics; Note that this is nut shell fragments. The problem with it is that because of the particle shape and light weight, one must be very careful in pre-wetting and and applying the final coat. I have found that a toothbrush works better than a brush in cleaning between the track. I pre-wet with rubbing alcohol, which I found flows better than a water/drop of soap mixture. (Alcohol is less viscous than water but is totally miscible.) I use a wood glue solution (30-40% glue in water with some soap) all via eye droppers. I agree with David that wooden toothpicks are very handy. Let me add that I congratulate Dave on finding a method that works for him. I haven't done the bead of glue along the sides but must try it.
+lardenr123 The points I have been worried about doing, but I have also painted grey under each one as well, hopefully get away without so much ballast on , and plan just to do a section at a time. My Layout is only 6ft x 2ft, although a lot fit on to it. Thanks for the reply
I agree completely applying full strength white glue on the sides of the roadbed to begin the process of ballasting. Doing this seems be especially important when ballasting N-scale track that comes with plastic roadbed, such as the Kato Unitrack which I use. ...Roy
Interesting - never seen the glue being laid down first. Nice to see a different approach to what most people agree is one of the less enjoyable aspects of the hobby.
David, just come across your video and have immediately subscribed! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I am just about ready to start ballasting my own layout (probably after xmas once Im happy with the first set of tracks are good), and this video will help me immensely.
I have found that after I lay the bead of glue I take a fan brush and let it glide at an angle to neatly control the glue bead. Also I use Aileen's tacky glue which is clear even when poured out of the tube.
A cheap ballast material is--------kitty litter. pour the kitty litter through a sieve to capture the small particles. Use the large material for rock scenery.
You were concentrating on both edges but didn't see any glue laid down in the "4 foot" between the rails so will have to assume same procedure for that area too.
Looks good but not good enough for me.bought a brand-new peco n gauge track. Last time I ballasted I did it a similar way however I like to keep the track in top condition as its gonna remain fixed for a long time. Therefore I use roofing felt for ballast and fill in elsewhere using flock and fine gravel.
Great video - makes the task feel much less daunting! One question though: I'm not clear as to how the ballast is fixed in-between the rails? The video shows that you only applied PVA to the shoulder - do you also apply the pipette solution between the rails as well? Thanks.
All the track is fixed onto Tracklay (www.tracklay.co.uk/) which comes on a roll and has a backing that is removed. Once backing removed it is sticky. Next lay the track with track pins to secure, then the ballast procedure. You don't need anything between rails. NOTE: My layout fills a whole bedroom and I only used 3 rolls.
Very helpful guide, I'm using a similar technique on my layout. Just one question, doesen't all the spraying affect the electrical connection between the trains and the tracks? I've found that only a tiny bit of glue/water mix on the track can prevent trains from getting power. Do you clean all your tracks after ballasting?
Hi I found no problem at all once I have ensured the inside edges are free of any small pieces of blast material..if you are still getting problems you could try a rubber track cleaner. .. but make sure after you have used it you remove off loose materials with a vacuum Hope that helps
Good technique mate! I'm struggling to find a grit that's small enough for N, yours looks about right to me, can you tell me where you get it from? cheers, Dave
Hi, I purchased the Ballast from a company called Tracklay (www.tracklay.co.uk) Ballast Chippings 960grams - Gauge Required : N or Z gauge ( same size supplied) Hope that helps
Only problem with all this grey ballast, first it's out of scale and second all railway I have looked down on from the air (my daily job) the ballast and rails are a shitty rusty brown colour.
Ufff !!. You're gonna have a lot of troubles if you continue ballasting your turnouts this way. I strongly suggest you do a little research about ballasting turnouts, cos the way you do it here is defenitely NOT THE WAY TO GO. Believe me. Cheers, John from Chile.
I tried a ballast hopper and gave up on it. Fine ballast is available from Woodland Scenics; Note that this is nut shell fragments. The problem with it is that because of the particle shape and light weight, one must be very careful in pre-wetting and and applying the final coat. I have found that a toothbrush works better than a brush in cleaning between the track. I pre-wet with rubbing alcohol, which I found flows better than a water/drop of soap mixture. (Alcohol is less viscous than water but is totally miscible.) I use a wood glue solution (30-40% glue in water with some soap) all via eye droppers. I agree with David that wooden toothpicks are very handy. Let me add that I congratulate Dave on finding a method that works for him. I haven't done the bead of glue along the sides but must try it.
Brilliant video. I have been dreading doing my N gauge layout, still have to do it, but has given me a lot more confidence to do it!
Hope you get on ok just be extra careful with any crossovers and don't do too much at once.
+lardenr123 The points I have been worried about doing, but I have also painted grey under each one as well, hopefully get away without so much ballast on , and plan just to do a section at a time. My Layout is only 6ft x 2ft, although a lot fit on to it. Thanks for the reply
I agree completely applying full strength white glue on the sides of the roadbed to begin the process of ballasting. Doing this seems be especially important when ballasting N-scale track that comes with plastic roadbed, such as the Kato Unitrack which I use. ...Roy
Great video. Love your accent.
Interesting - never seen the glue being laid down first. Nice to see a different approach to what most people agree is one of the less enjoyable aspects of the hobby.
David, just come across your video and have immediately subscribed! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I am just about ready to start ballasting my own layout (probably after xmas once Im happy with the first set of tracks are good), and this video will help me immensely.
It is not perfect but after many attempts I found this worked ok, best of luck
the balast was purchased as Nathan Guage and you can get paint to get rusty rails effect
I have found that after I lay the bead of glue I take a fan brush and let it glide at an angle to neatly control the glue bead. Also I use Aileen's tacky glue which is clear even when poured out of the tube.
A cheap ballast material is--------kitty litter. pour the kitty litter through a sieve to capture the small particles. Use the large material for rock scenery.
You were concentrating on both edges but didn't see any glue laid down in the "4 foot" between the rails so will have to assume same procedure for that area too.
The track is on a product called Tracklay, which is sticky, and therefore, you don't need to worry about ant glue between tracks.
Looks good but not good enough for me.bought a brand-new peco n gauge track. Last time I ballasted I did it a similar way however I like to keep the track in top condition as its gonna remain fixed for a long time. Therefore I use roofing felt for ballast and fill in elsewhere using flock and fine gravel.
Good tip. Thank you.
Great video - makes the task feel much less daunting! One question though: I'm not clear as to how the ballast is fixed in-between the rails? The video shows that you only applied PVA to the shoulder - do you also apply the pipette solution between the rails as well? Thanks.
All the track is fixed onto Tracklay (www.tracklay.co.uk/) which comes on a roll and has a backing that is removed. Once backing removed it is sticky. Next lay the track with track pins to secure, then the ballast procedure. You don't need anything between rails. NOTE: My layout fills a whole bedroom and I only used 3 rolls.
Very helpful guide, I'm using a similar technique on my layout. Just one question, doesen't all the spraying affect the electrical connection between the trains and the tracks? I've found that only a tiny bit of glue/water mix on the track can prevent trains from getting power. Do you clean all your tracks after ballasting?
Hi
I found no problem at all once I have ensured the inside edges are free of any small pieces of blast material..if you are still getting problems you could try a rubber track cleaner. .. but make sure after you have used it you remove off loose materials with a vacuum
Hope that helps
davidpds30
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try it the next time I ballast some track on the layout.
I would stay away from the ballast hopper and just do the pinch and squeeze method.
Good technique mate! I'm struggling to find a grit that's small enough for N, yours looks about right to me, can you tell me where you get it from?
cheers, Dave
Hi, I purchased the Ballast from a company called Tracklay (www.tracklay.co.uk) Ballast Chippings 960grams - Gauge Required : N or Z gauge ( same size supplied)
Hope that helps
davidpds30 Thanks very much, I'll give them a try, cheers!
where is your accent from?
West Country
I knew it
Eeeeee.
Only problem with all this grey ballast, first it's out of scale and second all railway I have looked down on from the air (my daily job) the ballast and rails are a shitty rusty brown colour.
On another comment he says that he used N scale ballast
Ufff !!. You're gonna have a lot of troubles if you continue ballasting your turnouts this way.
I strongly suggest you do a little research about ballasting turnouts, cos the way you do it here is defenitely NOT THE WAY TO GO. Believe me.
Cheers, John from Chile.
Whats the correct way of doing it?
Although I have had no issue with my turnouts would be grateful if please tell me how you ballast your turnouts.. would be very useful
Thanks
Sorry my man, this is more of a way how NOT to ballast.
Well it’s still working perfectly after 7 years