Not to worry! You and I and others will all get there eventually. It's one of those difficult learning curves. I do like the color combinations. I don't think you can go wrong with such. Bob E, PowerSteamGuy1790, fought with his N scale Kato Unitrack, until he finally got what he wanted. You can do an oogle google search to find him or go to my website and find references to his work. Like I said it's all in the eye of the beholder.
Rick: From PSG1790's blog: Bob used Arizona black Cinder Yard Ballast for the Yard ballast and Arizona Rock and Mineral Santa Fe mauve ballast for the mainlines. I tried to copy his method of ballasting on my around the room layout with some variations. All types of ballasting work out. I like what you've done in your recent photo's. Below are two photo's of Bob's ballasting of Unitrack. Staying cool and having fun with it....... Shades
Shades: I always like what Bob did with his layout. He said he had a hard time getting small enough ballast to put in between the rails. I think he said he used a Arizona Ballast products which would agree with what you noted. It turned out well and looks mighty fine. So, when do we get to visit his and Rick B's, layout? Love it!
Rick: Rick B's layout is available to see on TB. From what I can figure out according to Bob's blog, his layout is almost 100% completed with all the basic scenery and he's working on adding details to many of the individual scenes. I think Bob's layout has been fully operational for almost eight years according to his blog. Staying cool and having fun with it.... Shades
Been a while since I posted here. I've been doing LokSound decoder installs in many of my locos. Today, I took the California Zephyr out with its WP and D&RGW power, for a run around the JACALAR You can also see the half-finished yard area, with the ballasting done last summer. This spring/summer, I really hope to complete that work
John - yes, I added the grab irons, mirrors, wipers, ladder handles, etc., from the BLMA EMD Details kit
I'm getting jealous. Nice Job Rick! Removed? What in the heck did I say? Something is working overtime.
I got to finally play with my birthday present, today (since today is my birthday)! My ever thoughtful wife gave me the new ScaleTrains UP GTEL BigBlow (#26). She even somehow knew to order it way back in July.... Here we see the unit as it approaches and enters the High Sierra tunnel tunnel Here is the unit on the mountain trestle
The foothills of the JACALAR have some interesting areas. Here we see the oil fields in the background, with a small gas station A "helicopter" view
Coming through Cherylton on the mainline A "rougher" part of town (not least because it isn't finished yet). But, good pizza!
And finally, into the yard. The BigBlow's next journey will be to the Great Train Show this coming weekend, where it will run on the Silicon Valley FreeMoN layout
What she found awesome about it was that she didn't have to do any shopping! With delivery just a few weeks ago, I said "here, give me this" LOL (we do presents like this all the time -- she got a Pfaff high-end quilting/sewing machine for hers)