 Joined: 30/08/2016(UTC) Posts: 636 Location: Brussels
|
What's a good loose ballast match for M Track? Martin in Sweden recommends Woodland Scenics Buff, but apart from that one are there any others commonly available that suit?
Jabez |
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. Hank Williams |
 1 user liked this useful post by Jabez
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 04/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 320 Location: Adelaide
|
I have used beach sand from different locations, aswell as having gone to local sand suppliers and obtaining several buckets of material as close as possible to the rtequired color then at home using sifts to get the right grade to use as ballast, then to apply this i use a solution of wood glue and water make this to a brusheable consistancy and then sprinkle ballast over the glue area allow to dry and eiter use a hand held vacuum cleaner or brush it off and make sure it is still useable for next section.
Hope this helps
|
1 user liked this useful post by Ausipeet
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 30/08/2002(UTC) Posts: 1,288
|
When I was on M tracks, Chinchilla sand from the local pet store provided the nicest color/granularity combo for me.   |
|
15 users liked this useful post by PeFu
|
Ausipeet, Danlake, hennabm, 1borna, Jabez, Alsterstreek, GlennM, Eurobahnfan, dickinsonj, Brakeman, RayF, Bigdaddynz, Martin T, Armando, BenP
|
|
|
 Joined: 03/08/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,571
|
Hi Jabez, Just a word of advice regarding ballasting M tracks fully. Unless you have access from underneath, it is very likely that at some stage you may have to replace a track or a turnout solenoids. I bought brand new tracks (manufactured in the 80-90), but still have to occasional tweak the turnouts (due to derailments) or change a solenoids. I only ballasted up to the bottom edge of track, but it was still a big job getting access (c track you can bend upwards and downward to dismantle, but with M track you need to almost start from the beginning to dismantle...). Unless you are using K tracks (with solenoids access) or under board access to turnout I would not recommend complete ballasting  Regarding ballast I also used WS buff. I don't know why but sometimes it actually also looks good to just do a contract ballast. Have a look at Marklin exhibition layout (grey C track tracks on light brown dirt). Brgds Lasse |
Digital 11m2 layout / C (M&K) tracks / Era IV / CS3 60226 / Train Controller Gold 9 with 4D sound. Mainly Danish and German Locomotives. |
4 users liked this useful post by Danlake
|
|
|
|
Joined: 30/08/2016(UTC) Posts: 636 Location: Brussels
|
Originally Posted by: Danlake  Hi Jabez,
Just a word of advice regarding ballasting M tracks fully.
Brgds Lasse Thanks Lasse, I was thinking on trying out the method advocated by Martin of Sweden in his tutorial video. I.E. Cut thin polystyrene sheets to fit the inter-track, prepare these by glueing ballast to them, glue or pin them in place between the tracks, and finish off with a loose ballast sprinkling. That should make it easier to lift the tracks should it be necessary, although it is only an experiment for me. Jabez |
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. Hank Williams |
6 users liked this useful post by Jabez
|
|
|
|
Joined: 21/05/2004(UTC) Posts: 1,768 Location: Brisbane, Queensland
|
On my original M track layout I used coloured plaster/filler on the sides to give a smoother gradient of the ballast slope and then ballast material over the top. I can't remember what ballast material I used, probably whatever was locally available that looked comparable (likely WS) Of course I wouldn't use M track ever again but if you are committed to M track and want a better look (bit of an oxymoron if you ask me), I'd likely get some granite ballast (Granitschotter) from ASOA: http://www.asoa.de/spurh0.htm |
modelling era IIIa (1951-1955) Germany |
2 users liked this useful post by applor
|
|
|
|
Joined: 30/08/2016(UTC) Posts: 636 Location: Brussels
|
Originally Posted by: applor if you are committed to M track and want a better look Thanks. It's only for a trial in what will be a hidden M section before I apply the method to visible C track. Jabez |
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. Hank Williams |
|
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 01/10/2018(UTC) Posts: 4 Location: Austin, TX
|
Originally Posted by: Ausipeet eiter use a hand held vacuum cleaner or brush it off and make sure it is still useable for next section.
Hope this helps For me using a wireless vacuum works fine, but you should also be sure that you can find a propper nozzle to access hardly reached places At least you can find a good solution from this review: https://wisepick.org/best-cordless-vacuum/, BISSEL can perform great!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 17/04/2003(UTC) Posts: 997 Location: Netherlands
|
|
6 users liked this useful post by Gregor
|
|
|
|
Joined: 12/01/2002(UTC) Posts: 2,578 Location: Sweden
|
I have used beach sand mixed with medium ground black pepper. Even though I haven't embedded the tracks, you can see that it blends in quite well. 
|
4 users liked this useful post by perz
|
|
|
|
Joined: 30/08/2016(UTC) Posts: 636 Location: Brussels
|
Originally Posted by: perz I have used beach sand mixed with medium ground black pepper. Just as well Vasco da Gama in 1497 pioneered that sea route to India which brought down the price of importing pepper to Europe, though I doubt if he had model railway ballast in mind.  |
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. Hank Williams |
1 user liked this useful post by Jabez
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,455 Location: Scotland
|
Ballast is not all one colour. Oil and different colour of stones along with weeds (weeds also of a different colour)
Pepper makes me sneeze lol. |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
