How about some tips on ballasting N-scale track? What is the best way to glue the ballast down? What about around switches? Have been making some good progress laying track and will be ready to start pouring ballast soon so figured I better start looking for tips now! Thanks for any help. ------------------ Richard Turney
I am sure this has been covered recently, but what the heck I pour the ballast (Woodland Scenics Fine) over the track, and brush into place with a soft paint brush, or one of my wife's make-up brushes, until I am happy with the look. Next I spray the ballast gently with water with a drop or two of dishwashing detergent added, until the ballast is soaked through. I have used a garden hand sprayer, but these can be a bit fierce, so I now use my airbrush set to low pressure, so the ballast is not disturbed. Then a mix of pva glue and 'wet' water is dribbled onto the ballast. Adjust the ratio of water and glue until it flashes into the ballast and spreads evenly. Practice makes perfect Take special care around switch points, so as not to glue them solid! (I have used oil on the moving parts to stop the glue/water mix from adhereing), and keep the ballast below the tops of the ties, so the blade movement is not affected. Ballasting for the first time can appear daunting, but it really is quite easy, and surprisingly quick. Good luck ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
Use AMI Instant Roadbed. The ballast sticks to it. And track does too. ------------------ CSX and HO Scale The Newark Branch RR Ship it the good 'ole way, BY RAIL The Newark Branch Railroad
1. Use real rock for ballast. Some of the products out there are not. 2. Pre wet the ballast. Use "wet" water. Real rock will sink to the bottom and will not swell with water absorption. The pre wetted ballast will let the thinned white glue or matte medium flow better. Also if using matte medium be sure it does not contain talc. Your ballast will have better texture without it.
you may want to look at this topic in "The Inspection Pit" http://www.trainboard.com/Forum13/HTML/000216.html ------------------ Regards Paul #1-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
Thanks everyone for the tips. Paul, thanks for the link to the other thread. Will put all that info to good use! ------------------ Richard Turney [This message has been edited by BNSF FAN (edited 29 January 2001).]
