The photo below shows different track and it's ballast on my layout. Main on the left, a more weedy unkept spur on the right. It gets even worse in some areas, but not much. I agree that if you're going to do this make sure the ballast and weeds you leave on the ties is glued down good, and remove it completely from the tracks especially on the inner side.
I enjoy ballasting, here is a side spur on my layout. I just try to keep as much off the ties as possible. Every now and then I still have to poke some off
Jeremy, that is an interesting look. Is that a different colored ballast under the ties or is it painted?
Rich
Alton Junction
What materials are you using for weeds? They look very good. Thx.
jacon12 The photo below shows different track and it's ballast on my layout. Main on the left, a more weedy unkept spur on the right. It gets even worse in some areas, but not much. I agree that if you're going to do this make sure the ballast and weeds you leave on the ties is glued down good, and remove it completely from the tracks especially on the inner side.
I ballast my layout a few feet at a time. Not my favorite project but just part of building a layout,
Of all the MR disciplines I hate ballasting the most and for all the reasons posted... But I tend to be a "perfectionist" only because the results make the layout standout. Ballasting to me makes or breaks a layout.
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If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Rich:
I have weathered the ballast around the ties, as in this pic ( not my pic )
I ballast fairly heavily, since it's a mainline mountain route and subject to intense weather changes. The ballast is from a large gravel pit on the Yuba River, and is good old Sierra Nevada granite. Running from left to right is the 'house' track for Wagon Wheel Gap, the mainline (double guard rail extended from sheer cliff running outside the bottom of the picture frame) and overgrown siding at the cattle pen--mostly dirt. It's not pretty or manicured, it's just heavy, lol.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Jeremy,
I really like the look of your ballasting efforts. Nice work.
richhotrain Jeremy, I really like the look of your ballasting efforts. Nice work. Rich
Thanks Rich.
My layout is set in the late 70's-80's and I notice in alot of pics I have from that era ( mostly CN and CP pics ) that there is alot of soot and oil staining the ballast in and around the tracks. Here is another pic showing that ( again not my pic )
I will side with Eaglescout as well on this. Unless a Ballast work crew has gone through and rehabed the roadbed, even the "pros" don't keep it looking neat and perfect, so I won't worry about making mine look neat and perfect. As long as it looks good, then I'm a happy modeler.
//signed// John Powell President / CEO CNY Transportation Corp (fictional)
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Hunter - When we met in January of 2000, you were just a 6 week old pup who walked his way into this heart of mine as the only runt in the litter who would come over to me. And today, I sit here and tell you I am sorry we had to put you down. It was the best thing for you and also the right thing to do. May you now rest in peace and comfort. Love, Dad. 8 June 2010
I love you and miss you Mom. Say hi to everyone up there for me. Rest in peace and comfort. Love, John. 29 March 2017
I am a perfectionist I guess haha, so I am in the "ballast must look perfect" camp.
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
The 'weeds' in the middle of the spur track is coarse turf from Woodland Scenics. The tall grassy area in the foreground between the loco and the caboose is a product from Hobby Lobby called Pot Toppers. It comes in 4 inch round sections and is placed in the top of a flower pot to dress it up. Alas, the last time I tried to find it that no longer stocked it, but I have seen it online. I don't use Pot Toppers alone though, it looks much better when other products from Woodland Scenics or Scenic Express is intermingled with it.
Jarrell
LNEFAN What materials are you using for weeds? They look very good. Thx. jacon12 The photo below shows different track and it's ballast on my layout. Main on the left, a more weedy unkept spur on the right. It gets even worse in some areas, but not much. I agree that if you're going to do this make sure the ballast and weeds you leave on the ties is glued down good, and remove it completely from the tracks especially on the inner side.