Ballast

[hobo]

Hi Everyone
I am currently putting down ballast along my track route,and have been using a weed cloth under it.My question is the weed cloth necessary [?]

[Anonymous]

Hobo-
If you built your track on top of a trench filled with gravel you should not have a problem, especially after you have ballasted a few times. I haven't had a weed problem under my rails in the two years I have had the "Gnome Garden Railway" up and operating. I don' t think you need to use the weed cloth.
Good Luck
pfd586

[Anonymous]

hobo:

I agree with pfd586. The weed cloth is really not necessary.

Garden RR teack (in my humble opinion) should work just like the prototype. A trench, filled with rough fill that provides proper water drainage, will in itslef keep weeds out due to the nature of the medium itself.

You can always "top off" the final ballast fill at the track/tie level with anything that looks good, but the foundation needs to be ROUGH stuff. Not gravel pebbles, or smooth sand.

ROUGH so it will bond to itself in a stable manner that will hold together on its own for many years.

If you are a maniac about this aspect like me, seek out Lava Crusher Fines. (No larger than 1/4 inch) and sink the trench at least 6 inches, filling it with whatever "crusher fines" you can lay your hands on. (12" is even better.)

Once you have dug the trench, filled the trench with the "fines" and tamped them, lay the track. Then WALK on it. With your feet, one foot in front of the other.

This will "bed" the ties into the track bed.

THEN, finish off the final ballast with whatever you think looks good.

You may need to touch up the final ballast over the years but the weeds, track "wiggle" and expansion/contraction problems will become a thing of the past.

I learned this from the live steamers who have been garden railroading for well over 50 years, used it in Hawaii where weed growth is a MAJOR problem, and found it works better than anything I've seen or heard to date.

To me, the best lesson in Garden Railroading is simply that when you take your train outside, you've put it into the REAL world where real prototypes still run, and you have to do it like the bigger guys do or you can expect problems if you don't.

It's a concept kind of thing, and Einstein's Laws of Relativity apply.

You just moved into the real world, relatively speaking.

[Anonymous]

I hate to disagree but. . . Weed cloth is not very good at supressing weeds in So.CAL. I would recommend that you look at how agressive the weeds in your area are. For me, plastic foam packing material and flooring underlayment (same type of foam) is a good choice.in the bottom of the trench. One size does not fit all. BTW, got any gophers? You may want to use an inch or two of concrete.

[Anonymous]

Actually, weed killer works one heck of a lot better than anything esle... After all, thats what the real railroads do... It works for me.

[tlnibert]

I've used weed block cloth and all it does, is prevent weeds from growing down past it. Weed growing under it isn't a problem.
I'm rebuilding a layout that's been neglected by me and I've sprayed with Roundup twice two weeks apart and another weed killer and I still have a heck of a crop of wild onions and clover. Does anyone know of a sure fire CHEAP weed killer. I was told kerosene work, but I haven't tried it yet
Tom

[Anonymous]

I would not reccomend Kero. Keep using the "Round -Up", you may want to contact that manufactures web site for specific help with your weed problem.... BTW you do mean kero, not Karo? You may want to contact the local Agricultural Extension Agent, yepper, they still exist......[:)]

[Anonymous]

I use PVC roadbed (Mainline Models) with the track screwed down on it and decomposed granite for ballast held in place with titebond II glue. Roundup usually takes care of the weeds. There is no trenching and all that with this method.

[tlnibert]

I laid out all my track the way I wanted it and I used Railclamps. The factory joiners split after a year or two. I placed my joined track on bricks spaced every few feet and then pour crusher run gravel down through it. It's not maybe the best way, but it works great for me. I then remove the bricks and do the leveling. I didn't trench or use weed block on the final 400 ft.. I can't tell any difference from the track I trenched and use weed block.
tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tlnibert

I've used weed block cloth and all it does, is prevent weeds from growing down past it. Weed growing under it isn't a problem.
I'm rebuilding a layout that's been neglected by me and I've sprayed with Roundup twice two weeks apart and another weed killer and I still have a heck of a crop of wild onions and clover. Does anyone know of a sure fire CHEAP weed killer. I was told kerosene work, but I haven't tried it yet
Tom

If it weren't for the ties, I would suggest you set it a blaze with good ole gasoline.

[Anonymous]

UES A GOOD WEED AND BRUSH KILLER [xx(]

[Rene Schweitzer]

nibert,

I've read that vinegar (full strength) can kill weeds, but I haven't had much luck with it. Round up isn't that expensive if you buy the concentrate and mix it yourself. I've found you can mix it slightly weaker than the recommended strength, it will still do its job, and your concentrate lasts even longer.

I haven't checked myself, but in many parts of the US the stores are clearancing out the summer stuff, so you may be able to stock up on Round up for next year.

[Anonymous]

Hi tinibert
You have used a similar construction method to me only I have gone three bricks high and left them in and balssted across the top and built up soil banks beside the bricks
you will get one or two weeds but they should pull up easy mine do
regards John

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tlnibert

I've used weed block cloth and all it does, is prevent weeds from growing down past it. Weed growing under it isn't a problem.
I'm rebuilding a layout that's been neglected by me and I've sprayed with Roundup twice two weeks apart and another weed killer and I still have a heck of a crop of wild onions and clover. Does anyone know of a sure fire CHEAP weed killer. I was told kerosene work, but I haven't tried it yet
Tom

If you use roundup try using the concentrate instead of the premix and mix it stronger than recommended. There is another product made by Ortho call Triox it is a soil sterilzer meaning NOTHING will grow so you have to be carefull during application.

[grandpopswalt]

You can also use a product called PREEN. It's a fine granule and is applied in the early spring. It keeps weed seeds from germinating. What's nice about this product is that it doesn't harm the surrounding mature plants and grasses. We use it in our flower beds and usually don't have to weed at all during the year.

Walt