Track ballast

[diggerdooley]

What is the best material to use for ballast?  I have a load of #89 granite gravel that looks like it would be the right size.

[Train 284]

The best stuff to use is 1/4" crushed rock or crusher fines. Chicken grit can also be used.

[crackerpete]

Hi diggerdooley,  #89, I would suspect your in Florida... cause that is the best I've been able to find...There aint no rock in Florida.  Now, that being said, if you can find "chicken grit" that would be the best.  However the #89 stuff will work..  I was able to get buckets of shingle grit... and while that is crushed granite, it is really too small, as it splashes pretty bad when it rains..

Good luck,

Pete Smith

P & S Central RR

Lake Alfred, FL

[gmpullman]

Dooley...

I began using "Paver Base" from Home Depot but found that a heavy rain would wash most of it away in no time so I found the medium "Chicken Grit" (It's what's in the gizzard that counts) seems to work best. If the medium is too small go with the large, or "Turkey Grit". It seems to stay in place better and has a better "grip" on the ties to hold the track in place.

Try looking for it at a feed mill.