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Ballasting Turnouts

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  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 228 posts
Ballasting Turnouts
Posted by mike33469 on Thursday, January 27, 2005 8:34 PM
Besides being careful are there any tips for ballasting turnouts?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 27, 2005 9:00 PM
Pre-mix a paste of ballast and white glue, carefully press the mix between the turnout ties, be sure to keep the ballast level below the moving point rails and away from the throwbar.
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,845 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Thursday, January 27, 2005 9:46 PM
Hand ballasting around the points of a turnout is how I handle the issue. I make sure that the ballast is a little lower in that area, and that there are no grains of ballast to foul up things. One of the worst spots is 'under' the throwbar - Makes for sticky point throw. I cut out a depression in the roadbed area under the throwbar when I lay the turnout. And make sure no ballast gets under that area.

Jim Bernier

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 27, 2005 9:53 PM
Pre-mix a paste of ballast and white glue, carefully press the mix between the turnout ties, be sure to keep the ballast level below the moving point rails and away from the throwbar.
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Pacific Northwest
  • 3,864 posts
Posted by Don Gibson on Thursday, January 27, 2005 11:33 PM
"Ballasting Turnouts":

MOST modeler's - to avoid problems - Don't.. They prefer to 'float' their turnout's,
CAN you? Sure. Go ahead.
Don Gibson .............. ________ _______ I I__()____||__| ||||| I / I ((|__|----------| | |||||||||| I ______ I // o--O O O O-----o o OO-------OO ###########################

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