Where Can I Find "Crusher Fines" Ballast

[Anonymous]

The Garden Railways Articles on ballasting recommend "Crusher Fines" or "Grey Fines" for ballast. I live in Southern California and the local crushed rock companies do not have such small diameter rock. Do you know of any sources ... anywhere ???

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Any sand & gravel company should have them. In some areas they are called "Quarter Minus". There may be other regional names in different parts of the country. Last fall I had about 1500# put in my trailer for around $10.00. In my case they didn't have them in their yard in town, so I had to drive about 10 miles to their gravel pit outside of town. You might also be able to get them from an asphalt plant if there is one in your area, since they are used as an ingredient in asphalt paving. They have worked real well as ballast on my small Garden railway based on the "Colorado & Pacific" series in "Garden Railways" magazine last year. An often suggested alternative is "Chicken Starter Grit" from a poultry supply or farm supply store. It comes bagged and if you don't need a lot, it may work OK for you, but at several dollars per bag is more expensive than the crusher fines. Incidently, the 1500# of crusher fines is NOT a very big pile! Hope this helps. Ron H.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Ron!

Bob K