Does it servce any purpose to add ballast in areas of the track that are hidden - for instance, in the tunnel through a moutain? Or is ballast strictly for appearance?
If you can't see it, you don't need it. But you DO need to make sure that that track is properly secured. And properly installed, as in no kinks, corners, whoop-ti-do's, etc.
Ed
Thanks. I assumed that was the case but wanted to be sure.
Ballast can actually make things noiser and harder to pull up your track in the future. So, nope, don't use it where you don't need it.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
LION uses gravity to secure the ballast in place. Seems to work ok for the BNSF. Works in for me too.
And no, you do not need it in your subway tunnels...
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Generally, I agree that if one can't see it, it should be ballast-free if for no other reason than it frees up time and materials for other parts that will take more time to ensure they look good. However, one positive vote for ballasting in hidden trackage is that it helps derailed objects to continue down the right-of-way more easily so that they actually stay upright and coupled...a big advantage for older folks who can't bend or crawl so easily anymore to retrieve things in hidden places. Secondly, and yet another advantage, glued ballast helps greatly to prevent tracks everywhere on the layout from going 'sproing!!' if the humidity drops drastically when you're not looking. It won't necessarily prevent it, but it will resist the action, which may be enough. Keeping your tracks in good order in hidden places is a must if you have any say in the matter.
selectorone positive vote for ballasting in hidden trackage is that it helps derailed objects to continue down the right-of-way more easily so that they actually stay upright and coupled...a big advantage for older folks who can't bend or crawl so easily anymore to retrieve things in hidden places.
That's a good point, Crandell, although tricky to accomplish unless you complete trackwork before building the mountain. However, that new-fangled stuff like Uni-Track and its imitators does the same thing in a neat RTR form. Hmmm, now I do see a use for that other than temp layouts...
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
There is another plus. Cork roadbed (if it uses real cork) disintegrates over time. It disintegrates faster in dry air. Sealing the cork roadbed with ballast glue does a lot to prevent this disintegration. If you use cork roadbed, I would at least paint it in areas where you are not going to put ballast.
just my experiences
Fred W
On the pro side: Start ballasting in the tunnels. It will make the visible sections look better due to the practice on the hidden track.
On the con side: How long are you gonna live? Why waste time on stuff you won’t see when there are so many time consuming things to do on the visible portions of the layout?
None of the 300+ feet of hidden track on my layout is ballasted – most doesn’t have road bed either…
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
selectorHowever, one positive vote for ballasting in hidden trackage is that it helps derailed objects to continue down the right-of-way more easily so that they actually stay upright and coupled...
A Guard rail is easiser to install and will work better for this purpose.
You can buy 1/16" copper coated steel welding rod at about $5.00 a pound (about 50 3' peices). Install 18 ga nails where you want the guard rail to be, tin the tops of the nails, and then solder the rod to the nails. Works just fine. Looks good on bridges and elevated structures, just paint them a rusty collor, it will be hard to notice that they are not rail shaped.
mlehman However, that new-fangled stuff like Uni-Track and its imitators does the same thing in a neat RTR form. Hmmm, now I do see a use for that other than temp layouts...
Thanks for all of the additional ideas. It seems that there is a lot more to the question/answer than might think. The question of how long I am going to live is more appropriate than one might think. I am in my 70's and finally getting around to building my model RR - something that i have wanted to do all of my adult life but never had the time/place/money to do so. I am also building this for my grandkids and will incorporate some of their work into the layout.
After reading all of the comments I have decided to skip the ballast in the hidden areas but spray the cork roadbed with a white glue/water mixture to help preserve the cork. In addition, I wil start the ballast far enough into the tunnels to give a good view for anyone peering into the tunnel.
Cheers