I never knew that the ballast itself holds the track in place. I have been using hot melt glue to hold the track to the plywood in yards and around the turntable, and on foam roadbed. Most folks do not use cork anymore. There are much faster ways to do this than shown here. If you can find small-cell foam, like what is used for cushions, then cut a section 2" x the inner width of the rails. Spread the ballast and then run the sponge down the cross ties, and in one or two passes it is perfect, ready for the glue. For tracks entering a roundhouse, and for vehicle grade crossings in a yard, the prototypes COVER THE TIES with ballast, and the only way to do this quickly is with the foam "sponge" method I mentioned, used as a tamper to level out FINE ballast over the stringers and spread it evenly down the tracks. The sponge works great on the sides of the tracks as well.
Good method, well presented. I use a similar technique using the plastic spoon to distribute the ballast and my thumb and fingers to screed it into the tie cavities. Suggestion: paint (weather) your rail before doing all this, use Code 83 track rather than Code 100, and you'd really have something there.
Be a little more specific. Do you mean, "Why don't you protect the rail from the glue and mess?" Because the glue is easily removed with a rail-cleaning block.
If you’d actually watched the video you’d know wet water has dish washing liquid in it to break its surface tension - it allows the water to penetrate much deeper into the ballast.
'Wet Water' is tap water with a drop of dish detergent. The detergent helps break the water tension and allows the water to wick/soak into the surface poured.
I’ve watched plenty of these things but this chap seems to have the most convincing system. I did like the reference to “wet water”. I never thought there was any other sort! Great session though!
thanks for this info! I didn't watch any tutorials or anything how to ballast tracks, and came up with my own way to do it, and surprisingly, is very similar to the way that is shown in this video.
This was very well done. So many other techniques revolve around dumping ballast all over the place and saturating with glue. I think this technique is more precise, and better represents a prototypical ballast grade. I'm going to try this on my test track this weekend- thank you!
Pretty cool to see this technique, but I have to be honest.. I, personally, am not a fan of the incredibly neat look. It looks a little too much like EZ track that you'd use on your first train set around a Christmas tree. Plus, while it's interesting to see this technique, it seems like it makes it exponentially more difficult than just dumping it and shaping it up.. plus, I love the look of a little over-ballast, where you may even lose sight of some of the tie, or some ties altogether.. but that's just me. The greatest thing about this hobby is that everything right down to ballast style and color, you can make your own. There are no rules.
ifihadaboat85 Everybody has their preference, this was mine. It's the way I prefer. This will be what you see on a Class 1 RR. However, Shortlines and poorly maintained lines will look quite different with nearly no profile. My thought is, if you're using cork roadbed then you must want the profile.
I like your method and will use it on my layout. Did you get your ballast from Woodland Scenics? I'm trying to decide between fine or medium ballast. In fact,I may use ALL WS products for scenery,and buildings with exception of my grain elevator which is going to be from Walther's line of products.
The fine ballast is too close to powder for my taste. I used medium in the video. Or you can mix 50/50 or 25/50 fine with medium in a container before use.
Though this is a good technique for modern ballast formed by a spreader it isn't representative of typical steam era ballast and totally wrong for 19th century ballast.
Thank you for making the laying of ballast so easy. Your instructions are clear to follow and the results speak for themselves! I have a way to go before I lay ballast. What ballast did you use?
This was a club layout my dad (the one in the video) was working on. He weathers the sides of his home layout by airbrushing the sides a rail brown color.
I think that's the easiest way I've seen for ballasting flextrack. For those of us hand-laying track, it's even easier... Ballast the ties before spiking down the rail, and use a metal straightedge to shape it.
When u put tje 50 / 50 glue down on the ballast, when some of the glue gets on the rails ( matal things the train runs on ) will that affect the conection between the train and the track? So that it wont run?
Is it a liquid residue or a chalky dust? I don't know about any liquid residue but if dust is appearing, try slowing down when running your fingers across it or perhaps spray the "wet water" solution on beforehand. I hope this helps!
I'm having a problem with my ballast. When I rub the ballast in with my fingers, it leaves a gray residue on the ties themselves and it looks horrid. Yours look perfect! How do you get rid of that gray dust-residue substance?
I never knew that the ballast itself holds the track in place. I have been using hot melt glue to hold the track to the plywood in yards and around the turntable, and on foam roadbed. Most folks do not use cork anymore. There are much faster ways to do this than shown here. If you can find small-cell foam, like what is used for cushions, then cut a section 2" x the inner width of the rails. Spread the ballast and then run the sponge down the cross ties, and in one or two passes it is perfect, ready for the glue. For tracks entering a roundhouse, and for vehicle grade crossings in a yard, the prototypes COVER THE TIES with ballast, and the only way to do this quickly is with the foam "sponge" method I mentioned, used as a tamper to level out FINE ballast over the stringers and spread it evenly down the tracks. The sponge works great on the sides of the tracks as well.
I guess I'm not "most folks."
Good method, well presented. I use a similar technique using the plastic spoon to distribute the ballast and my thumb and fingers to screed it into the tie cavities. Suggestion: paint (weather) your rail before doing all this, use Code 83 track rather than Code 100, and you'd really have something there.
Nice work , i will be using your idea to apply to my layout .
Just about to start ballasting.
Cheers , great video .
Greg Brassington.
Like the Video Very Educational.
Very neat.
Thanks for the info!
What secures the cork to the table?
glue
usually wood (pva glue)
pin it in place , and put your track on top of it before gluing to check alignment or curve radius etc
What is wet water?
Grape drank
Be a little more specific. Do you mean, "Why don't you protect the rail from the glue and mess?" Because the glue is easily removed with a rail-cleaning block.
Having only ever known water to be wet your point was😂
If you’d actually watched the video you’d know wet water has dish washing liquid in it to break its surface tension - it allows the water to penetrate much deeper into the ballast.
does this work for dcc trains
Wet water. Where can I get this?
'Wet Water' is tap water with a drop of dish detergent. The detergent helps break the water tension and allows the water to wick/soak into the surface poured.
There's quite an obliging man selling it in the Sahara. But only on a take-away basis.
Well okay so there's this dragon......
don't mumble!
I’ve watched plenty of these things but this chap seems to have the most convincing system. I did like the reference to “wet water”. I never thought there was any other sort! Great session though!
So no glue residue on top of the ties, inside and outside of rails?
thanks for this info! I didn't watch any tutorials or anything how to ballast tracks, and came up with my own way to do it, and surprisingly, is very similar to the way that is shown in this video.
will try that myself. thanks for the video
This was very well done. So many other techniques revolve around dumping ballast all over the place and saturating with glue. I think this technique is more precise, and better represents a prototypical ballast grade. I'm going to try this on my test track this weekend- thank you!
Although the technique is not especially new, your end result is the best I have seen - perhaps you could come and do mine!
I am considering various techniques of doing the ballasting, so far, yours is the one I like more. So I will follow your way, and Thank you very much.
Thanks so much for the tutorial. I will be using it to do the ballast on my layout.
I thought my way was a long way to do it but at least my way is far less messy and is less likely to fail.
👍
[thank, you for youre helpful video]
Hmmm. Not sure how I feel about fine ballast, but this is the way to do it! I
Pretty cool to see this technique, but I have to be honest.. I, personally, am not a fan of the incredibly neat look. It looks a little too much like EZ track that you'd use on your first train set around a Christmas tree. Plus, while it's interesting to see this technique, it seems like it makes it exponentially more difficult than just dumping it and shaping it up.. plus, I love the look of a little over-ballast, where you may even lose sight of some of the tie, or some ties altogether.. but that's just me. The greatest thing about this hobby is that everything right down to ballast style and color, you can make your own. There are no rules.
ifihadaboat85 Everybody has their preference, this was mine. It's the way I prefer. This will be what you see on a Class 1 RR. However, Shortlines and poorly maintained lines will look quite different with nearly no profile. My thought is, if you're using cork roadbed then you must want the profile.
Great method for applying ballast with clear instructions.
I like your method and will use it on my layout. Did you get your ballast from Woodland Scenics? I'm trying to decide between fine or medium ballast. In fact,I may use ALL WS products for scenery,and buildings with exception of my grain elevator which is going to be from Walther's line of products.
The fine ballast is too close to powder for my taste. I used medium in the video. Or you can mix 50/50 or 25/50 fine with medium in a container before use.
Though this is a good technique for modern ballast formed by a spreader it isn't representative of typical steam era ballast and totally wrong for 19th century ballast.
Thank you for making the laying of ballast so easy. Your instructions are clear to follow and the results speak for themselves! I have a way to go before I lay ballast. What ballast did you use?
Great ballasting! I just wanted to know if you used woodland scenics gray, or woodland scenics gray blend.
Ethan Parker Woodland scenics gray.
This was a club layout my dad (the one in the video) was working on. He weathers the sides of his home layout by airbrushing the sides a rail brown color.
Very good video on ballasting track. Well done!
I think that's the easiest way I've seen for ballasting flextrack. For those of us hand-laying track, it's even easier... Ballast the ties before spiking down the rail, and use a metal straightedge to shape it.
When u put tje 50 / 50 glue down on the ballast, when some of the glue gets on the rails ( matal things the train runs on ) will that affect the conection between the train and the track? So that it wont run?
Is it a liquid residue or a chalky dust? I don't know about any liquid residue but if dust is appearing, try slowing down when running your fingers across it or perhaps spray the "wet water" solution on beforehand. I hope this helps!
what if glue gets on your tracks will it ruin the current?
I'm having a problem with my ballast. When I rub the ballast in with my fingers, it leaves a gray residue on the ties themselves and it looks horrid. Yours look perfect! How do you get rid of that gray dust-residue substance?
There are, but this is the best method I've found for keeping the angle of the ballast profile "prototypical".
How long do you wait for the glue to dry?
Rocco Pizza I allow overnight.
Woodland Scenics Medium Ballast: Gray.
I know Im pretty off topic but does anyone know a good website to watch new movies online?
@Tristan Ahmad Try FlixZone. You can find it by googling :)
why wouldn't you weather the sides of the rails????
Yeah, the glue will leave a residue that can be easily removed by running an abrasive track cleaner over the rails.
Why dont you cover the track?
Yeah that's what i meant. Thank you.
hello, what kind of glue used ?
Elmer's mixed 50/50 with water
rangelso Elmers white glue, full strength for profile sides - 50/50 dilution for top of cork.
Not to be so rude. But isn't that some sick way of ballasting the track? Are there other ways?
Yes actually. If you have to money you can get a Ballast King and get it done 90% faster.
Have the money*
Proses makes ballasting equipment to get it done fast and affordable as well.