Ballast color

[jep1267]

Is there any significance to the color of ballast? Talking about where it is used. I wanted to do a dark gray but can only seem to find light gray in Woodland Scenics at least. I was looking at train tracks in my area and the ballast looks brown. I have some light gray which I don't care for much but it may have its place, i.e. sidings, industry spurs? I'm building a freelance railroad but with an eye toward PRR, NYC, or Erie on the Northern East Coast.

J.P. 

 

[wjstix]

The color can vary greatly, from black cinders (not used much now, but common in steam days) to light gray crushed rock. A lot depends on what the cheapest and/or closest source is. Whenever possible, railroads got ballast from on-line sources. The C StP M & O (Omaha Road, part of the Chicago & Northwestern system) was famous for the light red "Pink Lady" ballast it got from quarries it served in Wisconsin for example.

There could be a difference with the type of line too - a mainline might be maintained with new crushed rock ballast, while next to it an industrial spur might have cinders or just dirt and weeds between the ties.

Also, remember ballast gets weathered. Oil drips on it from trains passing over it for example. What the railroad hauls affects it too. Iron ore railroad's ballast tends to be covered with iron ore dust, giving it a reddish tint. Anyway, you should be able to find dark gray, on a previous layout I tried to copy the ballast used by the DM&IR by mixing Woodland Scenic light gray, dark gray and cinders ballast in equal parts. Now they make a blend of ballasts, but I assume still make the separate colors too??

[loathar]

You can find some more options here
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/departments.asp?dept=1106

Two other companies are "Arizona Rock and Mineral" and Highball Products.(just Google them.)
The color should depend on what area of the country your trying to model. Different areas have different color base rock that the ballast is made from.

[GAPPLEG]

I have actually used several different colors of ballast to reflect the way ballast is obtained in local areas.  Some of my mainline out in the sticks is brown like the rock found in that area. Other areas are light grey some are dark grey  and other areas on the layout are black. It help to differentiate the distance on the railroad for me.

[colvinbackshop]

Stix covered it pretty well with addressing the varying shades, even on the same RR in different areas. Also with the blending of colors to achieve the shade you are looking for.

But....I'll add my "2 cents" with a plug for real rock ballast. I have used Woodland Scenic and LifeLike ballasts with some success, but now use either HighBall (gotten at an auction) or Arizona Rock & Mineral. Both of these companies (Arizona may have a better selection) have a great selection of colors and color blends, not to mention grades from course to very fine. All though finding the colors I wanted was a main reason for my going to Phil at Arizona R&M, I have found that the real rock ballast is MUCH easier to use too.

Not only was I not happy with the colors I could get....In my case with building my RR on foam, I had a major problem with static electricity sticking the WS and LL ballast to places I didn't want it, like tops of ties and rail sides to mention two major areas. This, in it self, was a source of much frustration for me! After using some of the HighBall on a siding and finding that it stayed where I put it (no static cling thing going on) and was also much more stable during the cementing process, I was sold on finding real rock ballast. Even though a bit more costly.

So, with ease of use, both in putting it down and in securing it in place, along with a great selection of colors (yes, I blend some of mine too) that I want for my RR; I sing the praises "real" ballast and especially the help I got from Phil at Arizona Rock & Mineral.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

KCS is using a ballast in this area that's a varying mix of grays.

In the past they've used white with a little gray, dark gray, brown, brown with black and one time they used a reddish gray.

[csmith9474]

You can try these guys too.... http://www.rrscenery.com/

If I remember correctly, they even have the Espee "salt and pepper" ballast.

[selector]

You can check in hobby shops that specialize in aquaria.  Often they have bottom liner and filter sand that is coloured, and it will be quite fine...I mean, not coarse.  Also, if you get a good deal on stuff that is readily available, but too light for your taste, consider gluing it with coloured glue medium.  Add some black acrylic paint to the mix and try to get it to darken a bit.  Additionally, I find that the mere process of gluing a given colour of ballast tends to leave it darker.  Alternativley, lay and glue it, but give it a darkening wash...will only add about 10-15 minutes to the entire job unless you have miles of track.  Real miles.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm using WS fine gray ballast. I wanted a little variation to the color so I added a fine blackish-gray sand used in sand art to the mix.

[secondhandmodeler]

I'm using ws medium brown mixed with fine dark brown.  It definantly darkens up when you apply it.  My railroad is a private shortline that is using the surrounding rocks for ballast.  Since the local mining company owns the railroad, it gets little to no funding for maintenance.

[mondotrains]

Hi J.P.

Some of the guys have already addressed your question regarding the color of your ballast.  I just wanted to mention that for HO, I use "Woodland Scenic's" medium ballast.  I model the New Haven in 1959 and therefore use the gray ballast, rather than cinders which were common in the steam era.  Recently, I discovered that I could easily darken the ballast to my liking, especially for sidings where the ballast can be real dirty, by adding "Bragdon Weatering Powders" and some powdered drawing chalk.  I experimented with small batches, keeping records of the mix and then made a larger batch using the same ratios.

 

Hope this helps.

Mondo