Looking for HO ballast suggestion (LAUPT)

[Southwest Chief]

Any suggestions on what HO scale ballast (brand and color) is similar in appearance to the ballast in these photos?

I kind of have an idea on some, but sure could use a second opinion/suggestion to help.

Any brand suggestion is appreciated.  If it helps, I have used Arizona Rock & Mineral and Woodland Scenics ballast.

Images found at RailPictures.Net

[richhotrain]

I use a 50/50 blend of Woodland Scenics Medium Gray Ballast and Medium Light Gray Ballast that looks pretty similar to the ballast in those photos.  That third photo shows it best.

Rich

[NeO6874]

Looks like you'd get pretty close with one of the "Grey Blend" varieties from Woodland Scenics or Arizona Rock & Mineral -- else you'll have to mix light(er) and dark(er) greys to get what the pictures show.

 

Looks pretty fine in the photos (although, that could be misleading - so if you can check it in person all the better), so I'd probably go for a scale smaller than what I model for it (e.g. as I model HO, I'd pick up "N Scale" ballast)

[rrebell]

Looks just like Woodlands  medium grey blend. If you need it more to scale add Woodland fine grey blend to it till you like the size, I used about 1/4 to 1/3 of fine when I was experimenting but ended up going with just the medium, goes well with the Weston fiqures which are a bit out of scale.

[HO-Velo]

Matt,  

Fifer Hobby website has sample photos of Arizona Rock & Mineral ballast, it's N scale, but should be the same as HO just crushed finer.  Of course many prefer to use N scale ballast for HO track. http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/arizona_rock_and_mineral.html  Click on the photos for a larger sample view.

You might contact Arizona Rock & Mineral about obtaining some samples and or advice on blending.  The proprietor Phillip Anderson is very helpful.

BTW, your model of LA Union Station is really neat.

Regards, Peter

[Southwest Chief]

Thanks for the advice.  And links.

I'm pretty sure the ballast is a different blend at LAUPT now compared to when these pics were taken (first two in the mid 1950s and last one in the early 1970s). 

I'm thinking the ballast now is a darker gray that seems to be used a lot by Metrolink.  Also thicker stuff.

Although next time I'm there I'll check.

[wp8thsub]

That looks a lot like Scenic Express "blended gray," maybe with some "light gray" mixed in.

The middle track here is #40 blended gray, used in HO  http://www.sceneryexpress.com/Natural-Stone/products/1107/2/0 .

Whichever way you decide to go color-wise, real rock will likely be easier to use and glue down better than the lightwieght Woodland Scenics product.

[Southwest Chief]

Thanks for the picture and ballast suggestion Rob.  That looks pretty close to the ballast color.  Oh and nice job on painting those tracks.

I've only finished painting one track on my LAUPT diorama so far.  Was a little hesitant to use my coveted Floquil bottles, but I really like Roof Brown for the rails and Railroad Tie Brown for the ties.

Took some photos of my LAUPT diorama this evening to show the progress (one section of the building is on the work bench getting it's stucco veneers applied):

 

[Knowcents]

I too was looking for a Ballast color for my LAUPT Station. I ended up going with Arizona Rock Northern Pacific Grey. Went through 4 bags for my platforms.

[Southwest Chief]

Knowcents

I too was looking for a Ballast color for my LAUPT Station. I ended up going with Arizona Rock Northern Pacific Grey. Went through 4 bags for my platforms.

 

Wow 4 bags.  Did you model all the platforms?  If you did, that must have taken up a huge space.  Any photos?

[Knowcents]

I moldeled (4) x 8' long platforms. Spent last friday night soldering 128 leds for platforms. I will try to post a picture or two by friday for you.

[Southwest Chief]

Some more work done on the LAUPT diorama:

[richhotrain]

Matt, nice work!

I clicked on that link to your layout photos.  Good stuff.   

Rich

[wickman]

Pretty much the same as  Rich and if I want darker  I'll use A/I on it.

[Southwest Chief]

Thanks Rich

[Southwest Chief]

Thought I would post this here instead of starting a whole new thread. 

Just about ready to ballast:

 

[HO-Velo]

Matt, What a beautiful scene and terrific modeling!  Is this part of your layout?

Thanks and regards, Peter

[Southwest Chief]

Thanks Peter.

I couldn't find a space large enough on the layout so I made this diorama to fit on a coffee table.

[Southwest Chief]

Another update photo...still haven't ballasted quite yet.  But the diorama is coming along nicely.