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Balast Distributor

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  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Lancaster, NH
  • 131 posts
Balast Distributor
Posted by B Rutherford on Thursday, February 9, 2023 6:50 PM

Ok, this is very admittedly a weird question.  When I was starting out a couple years ago I ordered a 10 or 15lb bag of gray ballast. Problem is I am going to need more and I didn't keep careful enough track of who I bought it from. Can anyone give me an idea of who packs this way?

- Bill Rutherford Lancaster, NH

Central Vermont Railroad 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, February 9, 2023 7:42 PM

I've never seen a 10# bag.   My WAG: Arizona rock & mineral?

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Lancaster, NH
  • 131 posts
Posted by B Rutherford on Thursday, February 9, 2023 7:50 PM

Definitely a maybe. Or Woodland Scenics or Scenic Express just not sure...

- Bill Rutherford Lancaster, NH

Central Vermont Railroad 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, February 9, 2023 8:17 PM

B Rutherford
Can anyone give me an idea of who packs this way?

I have a hard time believing any of the regular suppliers would pack it this way, with no brand mention at all.  I would guess you got it from a seller on Etsy, Ebay, or Amazon marketplace.

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Lancaster, NH
  • 131 posts
Posted by B Rutherford on Thursday, February 9, 2023 8:20 PM

Actually just figured it out. Scenic Express #30 light gray ballast. 25lb sack $68.75.  Guess it was bigger than I thought...

Thanks for those who replied.  I really appreciate it!

- Bill Rutherford Lancaster, NH

Central Vermont Railroad 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Thursday, February 9, 2023 10:36 PM

A little off topic, but is that ballast real stone or imitation ala woodland scenics?

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Lancaster, NH
  • 131 posts
Posted by B Rutherford on Friday, February 10, 2023 2:20 AM

Real stone. I have been very happy with it. And if you are doing a good sized layout at $0.17 per ounce it is a steal!! The site does warn of a little extra shipping but I dont recall it being a deal breaker. 

- Bill Rutherford Lancaster, NH

Central Vermont Railroad 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Friday, February 10, 2023 5:40 AM

I stand corrected.  

FWIW, if others are thinking about it, I just checked the scenic express website.  They still list a 25lb bag of #30 light gray, but state it will be discontinued when sold out.  Hurry if you want one.

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Lancaster, NH
  • 131 posts
Posted by B Rutherford on Friday, February 10, 2023 7:55 AM

Thank you Mike! I had missed that note. Ordering now. I also see it is up to $93 but still a good deal in my opinion 

- Bill Rutherford Lancaster, NH

Central Vermont Railroad 

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, February 10, 2023 1:50 PM

Back when Scenic Express was located in Pennsylvania I bought several 5 lb. containers of #40 Penn-Ohio limestone. I was pleased to see that their source at the time was Smith and Son's who had their shop less than a mile from me in Chardon, Oh.

Harley Smith and his son Dale both passed away a few years ago. Scenic Express then found a new supplier but the gray ballast wasn't the same, it had more of a translucent "sand" look to it.

Meanwhile, I've been getting my stone materials from Arizona Rock & Mineral.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    August 2020
  • 581 posts
Posted by Southgate 2 on Monday, February 13, 2023 5:19 PM

I'd like to visit these layouts where 25 lbs of balast isn't enough! Dan

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