Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
Ballast Coverage
Marshall models HO and asks:
“I would like to start ballasting my track with Woodland Scenics medium ballast and need to know if there is a rule of for how much material might be used for a specified length of track. My track, which totals some 200 foot, sits on a cork roadbed. Thank you.”
Have your question published on the blog by using one of the many Ask A Question links on this page.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
I think it really comes down to whatever looks right to you. And it would also depend on what sort of line you have modelled – mainline, branch line, narrow gauge, modern era vs old time etc.
Given how most people do Ballasting and for HO, for 200 ft of track it should be about 9 to 10 lbs.
Most of my track is mainline/branch line and one pound for every 20 feet is close enough for me. Thanks for the reply’s.
My only comment at this time about ballastiing is that it is VERY permanent. I was advised by my friend that do not be in a rush to ballast. Run and run and then run some more..every piece of stock that you have on the most demanding curves and inclines you have. Be SURE everything runs over all switches. Be sure that your droppers are all providing power correctly and you have no further need to pull up your track. Be sure that your rail joiners can slide back on your switches so that it can be easily lifted out for repair or replacement. Once that ballast is down and glued in place, you are done!!!! For that very reason, my foam sub roadbed is held down with Liquid Nails Foam for Projects so that it can be easily sliced apart with a putty knife. Same goes for under the track. By using 50/50 pva and water for sealing it down, this can be reactivated again with water should you every have to pick your track up. Finally tack your dropper wires under the deck so that they can not be pulled on. If you break a dropper, you will not get it reconnected easily.
Some of the most used lines in South Australia (Murray Mallee and Eyre Peninsula) were built in the early 1900s and earlier directly on the existing surface with very little or no ballast that we would recognise as such. The make modelling them problematical, as we use cork or other sound deadening roadbed under the tract and ballast which creates a “formation”. These lines are at ground level (or lower). They were upgraded as time and money came available, but they were the poor cousins.
How to ballast them – frankly with your normal ground scatter.