Ballest in Florida

[crackerpete]

Greetings to you all,
I'm just getting started, having purchased a LGB 2-6-0 Mogul, a couple of cars and some track. I live in Central Florida and "Crusher fines" are unavailable, but I did find some "pigeon grit" (crushed red granite) at $26.00/50lb bag. A tad expensive!
So, my questions are, what are folks using in Florida? Will crushed oyster shell work? Does anyone know where I can get a yard of pigeon grit in Florida or Georgia at a resonable price? Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Pete

[Anonymous]

Pete
[#welcome] to the forum ,do you have a lowes or a home depot near you , thats where i get my ballast , i use 1/4 pea size garden stone it is in 50 lb plastic bags it's used in flower gardens etc. you may have to fill after until it's packed . this is what i have been using and it works for me it's around 3 bucks a bag up here . ben in PENNA

[crackerpete]

[:)] Hi Ben, and thanks for the reply.
I looked at some pea stone, but it appeared to be to large and someone else had said not to use it. ??? I may go back to that if I can't find something else. Again, I've "heard" that crushed oyster shell works well. I'll continue my quest and if I find something else I'll post it here.

Thanks again,
Pete

PS Dec 26th.... and it is COLD down here, in the 40's!!!

[Anonymous]

If you are able to find a building supply or a quarry of some type perhaps the prices will be more resonable or perhaps have the material you need delievered in bulk to you.

mikadoursp

[crackerpete]

Thanks for the reply 'mikadoursp'
I've been to the local Home Depot / Lowes without much success. I am expanding the search this week, in the hopes of finding a solution. I'm in contact with some roof folks to see if "Roof Granules" are available, and trying to locate a source for crushed oyster shells.

Pete

[kstrong]

The biggest problem with "pea gravel" is that it lacks sharp edges which help to hold it in place. $26 for 50 lbs??? There has darned well better be some rare minerals mixed in with it to justify that price. Chicken grit shoud run you no more than $5 for a 50 lb. bag, even in fairly remote locations. The oyster shells will work, but may not look quite as aethetically pleasing as you may hope. Check the local garden centers and see what they offer, or if they can point you in the direction of a "local" quarry. Florida is somewhat lacking when it comes to rock formations, but there have to be quarries somewhere for all that concrete!

Later,

K

[crackerpete]

Thanks for the reply K
I've got some possible good news. As I continue this quest, I've got a lead on roofing granules, 50 lb pail for $20.00, and 60 lb bag for about $18.00. This is cheaper then the pigeon grit ($26.00). Down here in Florida we just aint go no rock... no quarrys, just sand... lots of sand.
I also have a lead on some 1/4" or less ground granite from a company in Orlando. Apparently a train comes through about every 3 weeks and drops a load. I've put an order in for 1 cubic yard ($30.00) The only problem is that it weights 2600 pounds, and I've got to transport it about 60 miles.
So, perhaps next week I can start laying some track!!! [:D]
Pete

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by crackerpete

I also have a lead on some 1/4" or less ground granite from a company in Orlando. Apparently a train comes through about every 3 weeks and drops a load. I've put an order in for 1 cubic yard ($30.00) The only problem is that it weights 2600 pounds, and I've got to transport it about 60 miles.
So, perhaps next week I can start laying some track!!! [:D]
Pete

Do you have a friend with a Pickup? [:D] Look in your phone book for a small haul service. A guy/gal with a small single axle 1 ton dump truck.

[crackerpete]

[:)] HI Carpenter Matt
Well, as luck would have it, a friend does have a duel axle trailer which can carry about 12 tons.... that I can use.

To continue the saga though, Talking with the folks in Orlando (about an hour a way) the rock that I am looking for, is supposed to be off loaded here in Winter Haven.... about 6 miles from my place.... So hopefully this plan will come together by Monday.... we'll see! [:D]

Pete

[Anonymous]

pete
so you found some ballest ??? I hope you can soon get up and running , pete E- MAIL me through the forum with your E- MAIL ADDRESS and i'll send you some pictures of MY GRR , I DIDN'.T LEARN to post on forum yet , ben of penna.

[Anonymous]

Pete, i'm glad to here it! Aren't friends great. kepp us all posted.

[crackerpete]

[:D] SUCCESS!!! [:)]

I have 1000 pounds of ballast in my back yard and another 1000 coming on Monday.... While I am not going to be able to use it all, it comes by the ton... and at $33.00 as compared to pigeon grit for $26.00 for a 50 lb bag, I bought the ton.

Here's the deal:
Florida Rock Industries has about 10 tons of what they call #89 granite. I paid about $33.00 for a ton of the stuff.

If your interesed ,contact REGINA STRUTHERS, Office manager / Scalehouse
located at 1371 42nd Street NW Winter Haven.
Phone number [phone]

Good luck,
Pete

[Anonymous]

PETE
You soon will be laying track and running trains,now that you have your stone. good luck . ben

[Anonymous]

Pete~
You have just made several "4 Corners" garden railroaders very happy. We were just discussing ballast today and I come home to find this post. I think Regina is going to be very busy in the railroad industry now [:)][:)]


Thanks Again

[Anonymous]

Pete, I live near H & R Trains (hobby shop, St Pete, Fl.) and visit their outdoor layout often. They have weekly operating days open to the public, so track/ballast maintnance is a year 'round chore. As you know, our summer months here ('twixt' the Gulf and Tampa Bay) produce some wicked winds and rain. When I came to realize the enormous task of refurbishing ballast after evey "blow" that comes along, I chose an alternative. Now, this won't be an option for you but a new reader attrracted by the subject of "ballast" might appreciate this "alternative." I opted to use sheets of styrofoam (14 1/2" X 48" X 3/4") cut to be applied over the roadbed pressure treated boards (1" X 6" X 3/4"). Outdoor quality, textured, latex paint (4 coats) of an appropriate tint is applied to the styrofoam first, of course. Finally, the track is then fastened over the panels and boards with # 10 X 1-3/4" exterior wood screws. To date, the styrofoam ballest panels have held-up after two tropical storms packing 50-60 m.p.h. winds plus our normal summer squalls (over a 3 year period). Caution: Don't use panels under turnouts (use the 1" X 6" X 3/4" boards). Also, don't use adhesives from panels to boards. Appearance? Not as desirable as true ballast as the ties sit on top of the S. F. panels. Advantages? As the panels "weather", the ties errode (slightly but evenly) into the panels. Replacment of panels is easily done. Panels make for good sound insulation. Panels are inexpensive and very easy to cut, leaving a rough textured appearance on exposed edges. I use "Duro Naval Jelly" [first] and "Never Dull" metal cleaning pads on the rail with no ill effects on the ballast. Yes Pete, this is a "cop out" but with Florida weather considered; reballasting after every summer "squall" just isn't appealing to me. Best of luck with your layout.

[Anonymous]

PETE
how are you making out with your lay out ???? ,did not see you in here for a while, wondering, if your getting thing up and running. BEN

[crackerpete]

[:D]
Just a note to let ya'll know, there is no more ballast at Florida Rock in Winter Haven. I got the last of it a couple of weeks ago. I do have a report that Florida Rock in Lake Wales does have #89 Sandstone. My partner has been using that with success.

Also, I am happy to report that the P & S Central Railroad is now fully operational!!

Pete & Shirley
Lake Alfred, FL