the cork is really just to raise the track a little bit and give it that ballast looking profile. Then you ballast over the cork. If you are doing a switching layout where trackage is poorly maintained secondary track, you may not want to raise the track level at all, so that it has that weed grown sunk in look. It's really a matter of taste. (no don't go chewing on your cork or ballast)
Depends on the brand. woodland scenics does lots of different colors, but if you want really nice looking ballast there are brands that provide crushed rock in scale sizes. It is usually around five bucks for a little bag. Ballast, or anything for model trains come to think of it, can be pretty pricey when you ad it all up. You may want to find some source for crushed rock and just screen your own if you want to be cheap.
Geeky mentioned "screening your own" ballast. FWIW, I used finely-sifted dirt from near my driveway for a short dirt road on a previous layout. Worked ok for forming the dirt road...which is what I wanted it for, not for ballast like Geeky is referencing. The color seemed a little off and my efforts to paint it made it worse. On my present layout, I've used cork to form the roadbed profile, and at this time, most of my track is unballasted. Looks fine for now, but eventually I'll get my track ballasted.
Dumb mistake #2 I ordered N Scale Cork 48ft of it >.< the perk is it fits right under the HO track, the ties come up just a tiny bit, but i plan to ballast so i think it will end up looking fine......i guess. Right now i am waiting for some parts to come which wont come for another 2 weeks because the site is so backed up so i am going to make a test set up 2 X 2 laying some track with cork and ballast and adtemping to make a Mt with a tunnel if i have the room, if not just trying to make some rock and what not. Thanks for your help guys. Also what kind should I order, fine, course, medium. this would be for my bedding.
As a matter of preferance I use the fine sized ballast as it looks closer to scale to my eye. I buy the big shaker bottles of ballast from Woodland Scenics which I pay around $8.00.
Any suggestions on colors that worked out the best? Im doing a mountain type scene, so im looking for a gray color.
Sanding the edges of Midwest Cork Roadbed will give you, a professional and more prototypical look to the shoulders of your roadbed. Also using N-Scale roadbed for the branch lines will enhance, your layout. As for the ballast, if you have a roofing supply factory, that makes shingles. There is an unlimited source for ballast, in a multitude of colors. Especially, grey!
The cork under the track helps deaden the, "rumble" you can get through the table from the train running on it. I prefer cork on the main lines that get heavy use. The spurs and yard tracks go down directly unto the table. Ballast color will depend upon the section of country your railroad operates in. I model the northern midwest so I use grey/light grey (crushed limestone) or warm buff colors. I also plan on using fine sand on a spur or in my one yard. Sand is easy to color with ink washes. I have looked at prototypical lines over they years, and rarely see a "uniform"color scheme through out. It varies. The old Milwaukee line that runs from Green Bay, WI to Channing, MI starts off grey/buff through Wisconsin, becomes tan/buff into Iron Mountain and becomes a mix of tan/ grey, blue (slate) and pink as it gets toward Channing. It depends on what the MOW crew could get. I prefer the Woodland Scenics Grey/Lt. grey mix. I use the Fine scale for my HO ballast. The medium is too big when you look at it compared with the prototype. The shaker bottles are the best value. They pretty much the same price from a stor, online or at a train show.
I used the Woodland Scenics medium ballast in brown but will definitely use the fine size next time...... Medium looks okay but I think the fine is more to scale......
