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Ballast adhesive - yes or no?

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Ballast adhesive - yes or no?
Posted by fiatfan on Sunday, September 25, 2011 10:00 AM

What's your opinion? 

I've been research types of adhesives but haven't stumbled upon any discussion of whether or not to even use it.  I would greatly appreciate some discussion on the topic.

 

Tom

Life is simple - eat, drink, play with trains!

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Posted by smcgill on Sunday, September 25, 2011 5:25 PM

YOU MIGHT OF MISSED THIS ONE?

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/159524.aspx

Sean

Mischief

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Posted by fiatfan on Sunday, September 25, 2011 8:42 PM

Hi, Sean.

I've been reading that thread quite carefully.  My question is not so much what type as it is whether or not a ballast adhesive is needed.

In my case, I experimented today with some TiteBond III.  I use pea gravel for ballast as my wife and I both prefer the variations in color that are provided.  I mixed some TB III at 50/50 water/glue and another batch at 25/75 water/glue.  The 25/75 held much better but I'm going to need a tanker full of the stuff to glue the ballast down. 

In some places, yes I will need adhesive on some slopes.  What I'm thinking about doing is gluing the ballast only on the slopes and leave the flat sections of track unglued, re-ballasting as necessary.

 

Tom

Life is simple - eat, drink, play with trains!

Go Big Red!

PA&ERR "If you think you are doing something stupid, you're probably right!"

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: S.Easton , Mass.
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Posted by smcgill on Monday, September 26, 2011 4:50 PM

I am doing the same just using portland cement on the sides that need to be held in place.

BUT  PEE gravel..............vary hard to keep in place,  to round,  no sharpness to the stones to hold together.

Good luck!

Sean

Mischief

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Monday, September 26, 2011 9:28 PM

Really depends on your weather, I live in San Diego, no need for anything holding ballast in place, I have good drainage, i.e. do not drain through the track from one side to another.

Regards, Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

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