Carolina Source for Track Ballast ??

[M_Parsons]

    OK.  Does anyone know where garden railroaders in South Carolina (Grand Strand) can buy ballast suitable for outdoor track?

    Everyone seems to agree that #8 or #9 granite / marble / limestone "Fines" is appropriate --- but not to be had down here.  Poultry Grit would work BUT is VERY EXPENSIVE ($25 for #40 bag).

    The guys who make custom kitchen counters generate a lot of scrap stone but it is in large chunks.  They, and the concrete plants here, agree that they don't know of anyone with a "Crusher" in the area (I was going to rent a concrete crusher).  Actually, they say there "are no crushers" in the area.

     So -- there must be at lease SOMEONE who has built an outdoor layout with ballast in the southeast.

-- Looking for a viable source of ballast.

[mgilger]

The price you referenced for the Grit does not sound correct. Wonder where you priced it?  I pay about $7.50 for a 50 pound bag at the local Grain & Feed place at several locations. I can get it in Fine, Medium and Course and it's granite chips. 

I live in Ohio, but would expect a price close to that where you live. Farmers could not afford it for the price you mentioned.

Good luck.

Mark

[ttrigg]

Have to agree with Mark on the pricing beeing a bit "stiff". I get grit at $7.70/50# bag, also cruched oyster shells $9.50 for 50# bag.  oyster shells are too big for ballast, but make forvery good "loose rock falls" at the bottom of hillsides/mountains. It kida resembles 8"~12" x 1" broken shale (in scale).

[M_Parsons]

Down here on the Grand Strand Conway Feed and Grain, the big animal feed supplier, established that price because they can get it selling large amounts of it (at that price) to the Dolly Parton Stampede show (plus horse feed).

The cheaper alternative down here is oyster shell, obviously from a local source (tons of oysters get eaten every day), whereas the rock has to be hauled at least hundreds of miles.  The store also gets away with selling the poultry grit at $8 a 4 pound bag.  I agree it is ridiculous.

[ttrigg]

You might think about getting a hand crank sausage grinder and munch the crushed oyster shells to a finer grade. Just a thouhgt.