Ballast question

[Itsed65]

Okay, I have pretty much decided on my track plan:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51506

The question I have now is about what type of ballast to use. I will be putting down atlas code 55 N scale track on top of cork then foam and was wondering if anyone has experience as to what brand or type works well or doesn't on this very small track.

Any ideas on the appropriate color for a modern western railroad would be appricieated as well, thanks [:D]

[trainboyH16-44]

I like to use dark brown fine WS....

[nbrodar]

WS fine works. I would image a gray blend would look best.

Nick

[trainboyH16-44]

I find the gray blend of WS a little off, and that the darker tones look more natural. (Redder tones are also great, but I can't think of any mains with them)

[ac4400fan]

Im not famillier with nscale but .Im H.O and i use med. for my ballast gray blend ,but it all depends on what land your modling mid west west ,east ect, make sure you wet it with streght water then do a 50-50 water white glue with a ketchup bottle or something close to it ,its fun and after a hr with playing with it you will fugure it out ,also a dry paint brush helps to spred the ballast out so in n scale i would rec. fine but its your railroad.

hope this helps

Carl..

[Anonymous]

I am doing the same thing right now. atlas code 55 on cork. I am using WS 'fine' ballast and have not had trouble. I am,, however not using the grey, but this is purely for looks, and not because i have had trouble with it. just remember LESS IS MORE. i know caps are like yelling but that is important when laying down ballast. It is a lot easier to add than remove. I would also reccomend getting a small paintbru***o bru***he stuff off the ties. And use liberal amounts of wet glue.

hope to have helped

brian

[nbrodar]

I'm in HO, but take a look at this. The double track on the left is Lt. Gray and the branch on the right is Brown. Both are WS medium ballast. (sorry the flash kinda washed out the gray)


A good trick to getting the ballast off the rail and ties, is to lightly tap a pencil or the handle of your brush across the railheads. I didn't do this on the gray, and did on the brown.

Nick