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Best Type of Lightweight Ballast Material?
David has this question:
“I am searching for good looking light weight ballast material for size N. I need to source enough for around 60 meters of track which I need to to ballast. I can’t have the weight of stone material is too high, as the whole layout is hanging in wires from the ceiling for elevation. Any experience shall be appreciated.”
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Look at Scenic Express. They have great ballast in different sizes AND they will send free samples. I believe they use real “rock”.
Woodland Scenics is ground-up organic material and their “N” Scale is easy to work with. No samples as far as I know.
Woodland Scenics ballast is sourced from ground walnut shells; much lighter than real rock, a little more expensive however, but doesn’t include any rock dust.
I know some people have used tea-leaves. Coffee grounds will go mouldy. You could also try grinding or crumbling some cork.
Woodland scenic s is best if you use fine grade but use it sparingly and one large bottle should do
I saw a brilliant Youtube from New Zealand touting Pumice as an ideal, cheap light Ballast. Pumice is a volcanic stone that floats in water and is marketed for use in propagating plants and for bonsai soil. It comes in 10lb (5 litre) bags for about $9NZ. The grain size ranges from ideal for H0 up to “small boulders” and for our use can be sifted with a kitchen sieve. The product name is Proprop in NZ. It is available in Australia but a bit dearer.
I use sharp sand harvested off “Big Red” , a famous sand hill in the Simpson Desert here in Australia but the pumice sound very attractive.