I was intrigued by this technique and figured I might give it a try. The author said he used it in one of his yards but why would it not work anywhere on a layout? I would also think you could use other colors of grout to custom design and exact ballast by geographic location.
I've seen quite a few attempts at using grout for ballast, and they mostly end up looking like a muddy mess. Look closely at the photo for the page 52 sidebar about ballast and note how much is shown creeping up the sides of the rails and over the ties. While you don't necessarily want tidy ballast on yard or industrial tracks, grout seems quite difficult for most people to control.
Rob Spangler
wp8thsub I've seen quite a few attempts at using grout for ballast, and they mostly end up looking like a muddy mess. Look closely at the photo for the page 52 sidebar about ballast and note how much is shown creeping up the sides of the rails and over the ties. While you don't necessarily want tidy ballast on yard or industrial tracks, grout seems quite difficult for most people to control.
I agree, the potential "mess" from working w/ grout for ballasting would still leave me to use the more traditional methods. Tile grout does work in some instances where yards, lots and dirt roads are done. The fine "slurry" can get all over the place and most times is not evident until it finally dries. Look what happens to a tile surface even after multiple washings. The portland cement/ color can be a mess on ties and any other materials.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
You guys are convincing me it is not even worth experimenting with. Does anyone beside the author have a positive result from using this method?
eaglescout You guys are convincing me it is not even worth experimenting with. Does anyone beside the author have a positive result from using this method?
You could still give it a try, I had used extra playsand in with the "sanded Grout" if you do use it for any roads etc do use "sanded" not non sanded. The non sanded will work like sloppy slurry..
SpectraLOCK brand from Lowes is just colored sand. It's used to make there non sanded grout a sanded grout. It is a fine sand and comes in many colors. I'm using Midnight Black and Slate Gray for my yard area.
Wayne