jjdamnitHello All, richhotrain Would you cover the entire area between the tracks with ballast or would you intersperse ballast with weeds and grasses in that area? A few thoughts... The prototypical double-track mainlines I have observed are completely ballasted. Even the sidings are as well maintained as the mainline. I recall seeing a depressed siding where the difference between the mainline and the siding was as much as 15-feet. Track crews built stairs out of reclaimed ties so crews could navigate the steep slope between the tracks. The entire slope between the tracks, despite the elevation difference, was completely ballasted. With a siding or diverging single track the ballast only needs to be so wide. Measuring the HO roadbed I use it's 2-inches wide (actual), at the base. That makes the ballast pad approximately 14-feet wide (scale). Once the diverging track moves more than 20-feet (scale), 2-3/4-inches (actual), away from the main, I would expect vegetation to grow between the tracks. Another thought is... How diligent is the track crew clearing weeds? If this siding is well use and maintained then I wouldn't expect much vegetation but I would not expect the railroad to spend money on ballasting dirt between the siding and the main. This area could be simply modeled as plain old compacted dirt. Hope this helps.
richhotrain Would you cover the entire area between the tracks with ballast or would you intersperse ballast with weeds and grasses in that area?
A few thoughts...
The prototypical double-track mainlines I have observed are completely ballasted.
Even the sidings are as well maintained as the mainline.
I recall seeing a depressed siding where the difference between the mainline and the siding was as much as 15-feet. Track crews built stairs out of reclaimed ties so crews could navigate the steep slope between the tracks.
The entire slope between the tracks, despite the elevation difference, was completely ballasted.
With a siding or diverging single track the ballast only needs to be so wide.
Measuring the HO roadbed I use it's 2-inches wide (actual), at the base. That makes the ballast pad approximately 14-feet wide (scale).
Once the diverging track moves more than 20-feet (scale), 2-3/4-inches (actual), away from the main, I would expect vegetation to grow between the tracks.
Another thought is...
How diligent is the track crew clearing weeds?
If this siding is well use and maintained then I wouldn't expect much vegetation but I would not expect the railroad to spend money on ballasting dirt between the siding and the main.
This area could be simply modeled as plain old compacted dirt.
Hope this helps.
Rich
Alton Junction
I probably missed your prodecural description earlier, Rob. Thanks for taking the time to summarize it again. I can see that it makes sense.
This is a great thread! The aside about how diligent maintainence is rings true. When the New Haven was going under (the last time) a friend was an engineer on the line to Pittsfield Mass. Branching off that were seldom used lines for fuel oil or lumber dealers. Using mostly RS Alcos they needed to double head the trains even when only 3 or 4 cars were in the consist because they would end up in high grass as soon as they left the main (single) line. If they tried to deliver with a single power unit they would invariably stall out due to the amount of grass pushed onto the rails.
Generally even in dire times, the mains are kept fairly tidy and debris free. Where tracks diverge for example the siding leading to Sperry Railworks, the ballast is put down up to around 6-8 feet of divergence and then undergrowth is allowed to creep in.
I've had limited luck with the Noch static grass applicator I bought years ago. Mostly the grass appears not to have enough charge to stand up. I do recycle the stuff that misses and the left over ground foam by vacuuming it up with an old nylon stocking in the nozzle so the left overs go in there and not the cannister. When done, remove the stocking (I use a rubber band to hold it place while in use) and empty the contents into the container of your choice. J.R.
GMTRacing This is a great thread!
This is a great thread!
I need to place an order with Scenic Express for ballast. I will be adding some small grass tufts to the order.
Thanks, Mel.
I actually watched that video yesterday, and that is when I decided to order the already-made ones.
richhotrain I am going to begin ballasting the track on my new layout. For the most part, it will be done on my double mainline. The straight sections of double mainline track are 2 inches on center. So in keeping with prototype photos, it appears that the ballast covers the open area between the two tracks without any appearance of weeds or grasses. But I also have some areas of track where there is a third track that services yards and spur tracks. On one curve in particular, the three tracks are spaced 3 to 4 inches apart. Would you cover the entire area between the tracks with ballast or would you intersperse ballast with weeds and grasses in that area? Rich
I am going to begin ballasting the track on my new layout. For the most part, it will be done on my double mainline. The straight sections of double mainline track are 2 inches on center. So in keeping with prototype photos, it appears that the ballast covers the open area between the two tracks without any appearance of weeds or grasses.
But I also have some areas of track where there is a third track that services yards and spur tracks. On one curve in particular, the three tracks are spaced 3 to 4 inches apart. Would you cover the entire area between the tracks with ballast or would you intersperse ballast with weeds and grasses in that area?
It really depends how long its been there brand new nice neat ballast dirt strip in the middle with a little ballast later add weeds later still all ballast and maybe later add the odd weed.
If how ever the line is well maintained class one weeds are unlikely as it will have regular weed sprays.
The yard tracks however are likely to be buried with fines or ash as a safety precaution to stop slips trips and falls by yard staff
Where the yard staff don't need to go often is likely to have weeds growing go easy on scattered junk it doesn't happen its a safety hazzard
it is also rare to find spikes, sole plates, fish plates, or bits of rail lying around this matierial can all be re-used in the railways main worksop or they can be re forged in some cases then re used.
And again it is suposed to be properly cleaned up before leaving the work site.
The railway in the picture has been there a while it has been re ballasted at least three times going on the ballast colours
regards John
selector If you can imagine it, it must surely exist somewhere. The CP tracks through the Rockies are full of growth, and that's because the grain hopper closure mechanisms don't make perfect seals. Grains of wheat, barley, canola,...you name it...fall through the proverbial cracks and germinate some time in April or May, depending on the weather and last day of frost.
If you can imagine it, it must surely exist somewhere.
The CP tracks through the Rockies are full of growth, and that's because the grain hopper closure mechanisms don't make perfect seals. Grains of wheat, barley, canola,...you name it...fall through the proverbial cracks and germinate some time in April or May, depending on the weather and last day of frost.
What a great discussion topic with fantastic photos! Learning a lot from the topic and applicable since part of the mainline on my layout has double tracks. I added ground foam between the tracks, but can easily cover it with ballast.
I agree with some that the amount of ballast and green growth depends on the area.
kasskaboose I agree with some that the amount of ballast and green growth depends on the area.
richhotrain I agree with some that the amount of ballast and green growth depends on the area. Yeah, all of the comments have been great, but the one that sticks with me most is the one you mentioned. The amount of ballast and green growth depends on the area. My plan is to have a well groomed double mainline but to add some small grass tufts around the yards and sidings. Rich
Yeah, all of the comments have been great, but the one that sticks with me most is the one you mentioned. The amount of ballast and green growth depends on the area. My plan is to have a well groomed double mainline but to add some small grass tufts around the yards and sidings.
Thanks Rich! I can't wait to see what you develop. The trick is having something well-maintained while still looking somewhat realistic.
kasskaboose Thanks Rich! I can't wait to see what you develop. The trick is having something well-maintained while still looking somewhat realistic.