Ballasting tip

[Anonymous]

A few days ago, I asked a question on the forum about what techniques others liked to use to ballast their track because I didn't like the way the ballast spreader I had worked. Several people responded by saying that they used spoons to spread ballast on their layout. While getting set up to do some more ballasting on my layout, I stumbled upon another idea: how about trying one of the plastic measuring scoops that are commonly used to dispense medicine to kids? (with a 5-year old and a 7-year old, we've got dozens of these laying around). Well, I tried this, and it works really well. I have an N-scale layout, and the width of the scoop corresponds nicely with the width of my track, and I seemed to have better control over where the ballast was going than with a regular spoon. Just thought I would pass along this tip. (By the way, the baby medicine dispensers make great "eyedroppers" for us hobbyists).

[willy6]

i ballast with a piece of PVC PIPE. i cut the pipe down to about 2 inches and make sure the pvc is the width of the track plus,and pur ballast in the pipe and run it down the track.

[Anonymous]

Great tip on the kiddie-spoons! Though, not having any kids of mine own, I doubt I'll make use of it.

I've collected a few "sporks" from my visits to Taco Bell, to explore their potential for scenery. I haven't used one yet, but I am wondering whether the slotted end will enable better distribution of ballast. The main use I had in mind for them, though, was for sculpting rocks in place.

[Anonymous]

I bought the Micro Mark ballasting combine and I have to say, I think it works great.