How to ballast model railway track | Railwayscenics
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Railwayscenics guide to ballasting track

ballasting

For this article I will assume that you have laid the track on a painted and sealed baseboard, are happy with the design and have painted and weathered the track. You should also make sure that electrically, the layout works as you want it to. This may sound silly, but its harder to alter something once ballasting is completed.

You will need some or all of the following tools and equipment:

  1. Bag of ballast
  2. Ruler
  3. Eye type dropper or syringe
  4. PVA type glue
  5. Fine mist spray bottle
  6. Assortment of small paint brushes or old toothbrushes

Many modellers consider ballasting a chore, but one that is necessary to get the right look. Ballast for railway modellers comes in many sizes and colours. You will need to choose the size depending on the scale of your model railway, and the colour because of what was used at the location of your railway. Size is really important as over or under size ballast just looks wrong. Colour is not as important as variations that occurred around the country depending on what local stone was available. It is possible to combine two colours to create the effect you require, but mixing the materials must be done accurately to allow you to combine the two colours again should you require more material.

Before laying any ballast, protect any arreas where the ballast may affect the workings or motion, such as points and point motors. Once you have selected the material, or materials you wish to blend for ballasting. it's time to start laying the material. Ballasting can take a long time, but if done correctly will last for years and will enhance any model railway layout. Badly laid ballast will spoil any layout, and will be hard to remove once applied.

Along either side of your track, draw a line using a pencil to define the edge of the ballast. Do not worry if the line is not straight, as you will be bringing your other scenic material up to this ballast edge. Look at photos of your desired location to find how wide the ballast bed should be. A roughly blended edge will look more natural than a perfectly defined edge.

Sprinkle on a layer of your chosen ballast and carefully arrange it between the sleepers, using the brushes, and up to the edge line until you are happy with the results. I found that an old toothbrush was ideal for this in that it was hard enough to move the ballast but not too hard as to dislodge it. In 4mm scale it also fitted between the tracks. On points or crossing make sure that the ballast does not interfere with the operation of the points. Carefully press the ballast down between the sleepers. It is easier to do short lengths at a time rather than do a whole long length in one attempt.

Once you are happy with the look and position of the ballast you need to carefully and lightly spray the ballast with water to which you have added a small drop of washing up liquid. This addition breaks down the surface tension of the water and allows it to flow better and soak into the ballast. Do not waterlog the ballast and be careful not to wash the small granules away.

Once wet, apply to the ballast a 50-50 mix of water and PVA adhesive, again with a small drop of washing up liquid, using an eyedropper, syringe or pippette. You should be able to watch the adhesive mix, flow and soak into the ballast. Allow to soak in. Capillary action will draw the glue through the ballast so be patient and give it time to work its way in. Again do not add too much. Gauging how much to add will come with experience. If you do not add enough the ballast will crumble and not stick. If you add too much it will wash away. You can always add more where required.

Now you have to leave your big soggy mess to dry thoroughly. This can take some time, and should not be rushed. Do not run any locos on the track as the track power or any DCC signal may be affected by the water in the ballast.

Once everything is dry, you should be able to remove any excess ballast or add more if required to places where it has not set properly.

Finally, the ballast can be weathered to achieve truly lifelike results. For the best weathering effects, mix a fine wash of mid-brown/grey acrylic colour and apply, followed by a dry brush with white for that finishing touch. The ballast will look better once the surrounding scenery is brought up to meet the ballast.

Once all ballasting is completed test the track again as you will have small grains of ballast where they should not be and will have glue on your track. Small bits of ballast can be carefully removed with a scalpel blade, but take care. PVA glue on your track can also be removed carefully using a knife blade. The glue does not stick to the metal track, but will to areas that have been weathered and painted. Be extra vigilant around point blades for small bits of ballast and glue as these will affect the good running of your model.