ballast problem

[JeremyB]

hey guys

I ballasted my track last year and am starting to find it crumbling in some spots, actually where I rubbbed it by mistake, ( when I found the spot I started checking it in various areas ) Is this normal that sometimes it will crumble?

Jeremy

[flashcul]

I have had the same problem. The glue has dried out and vibration causes it to crumble, just like a real railroad Huh. I just respray it with 50/50 white glue & water, and you'r back in business.

[Anonymous]

That's too easy get some model ballast cleaning and manteance machines and run them around your layout.[:D][swg]

[mcouvillion]

Jeremy,

What probably happened is that when you glued it down, you did not fully saturate the ballast and only glued the surface. You would need to wet it thoroughly with "wet water", water that has a drop or two of dishwashing detergent in it, or better yet, also has at least 1/3rd isopropyl alcohol in it. This lowers the surface tension of the water to fully wet the surface of all the tiny rocks of the ballast. Really wet it down, don't be shy. If you add the alcohol, make sure you have good ventilation and don't have any open flames nearby.

Use white glue diliuted 3 or 4 to 1 (water to glue) and soak the wet ballast until it looks like there is milk in the ballast. I have found that putting the glue on initially between the rails and letting it flow under the rails between the ties causes the least disruption of the ballast. Soak it until it looks like it is way too much, then leave it alone to dry overnight. The next day, it will be rock solid. If you need to remove it or repair something, use an eyedropper to re-wet the ballast in the problem area with water. Allow a couple of minutes for the glue to rehydrate, then you can remove or re-profile the ballast.

Good luck,

Mark C.

[Anonymous]

I am glad someone finally addressed a concern that I have had for some time, the Flamability of some of our modeling tools. Alcohol is dangerous and should be treated with care. Basement modelers need to be specifically careful with exposed pilot lights in water heaters and furnaces, not to mention open flames when these are active. The same care that you use with solvents for paints needs to be exercised with other volitile solvents like alcohol.
Will

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lotus098

That's too easy get some model ballast cleaning and manteance machines and run them around your layout.[:D][swg]

haha...just a good excuse to do one of BNSF's track blitz's!! ;) Bebuild track in just under 12 days!!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, we wanna be realistic, but we don't wanna be modelin any fires for real.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Overdurff

I am glad someone finally addressed a concern that I have had for some time, the Flamability of some of our modeling tools. Alcohol is dangerous and should be treated with care. Basement modelers need to be specifically careful with exposed pilot lights in water heaters and furnaces, not to mention open flames when these are active. The same care that you use with solvents for paints needs to be exercised with other volitile solvents like alcohol.
Will

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BigRedneckRob

Yeah, we wanna be realistic, but we don't wanna be modelin any fires for real.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Overdurff

I am glad someone finally addressed a concern that I have had for some time, the Flamability of some of our modeling tools. Alcohol is dangerous and should be treated with care. Basement modelers need to be specifically careful with exposed pilot lights in water heaters and furnaces, not to mention open flames when these are active. The same care that you use with solvents for paints needs to be exercised with other volitile solvents like alcohol.
Will

Good point!

IIRC, alcohol fumes are heavier than air and so stay close to the floor at just about pilot lite/burner heights!

BTW, since I believe as of July of 2003, all manufactured gas water heaters must have a construction that prevents flash fires from flammable fumes occuring. Don't recall the details now. I initially heard about this on PBS's "Ask This Old House" program. Recently, I somewhat verified this since I had a new water heater installed in my basement and it was this type.