Some questions on ballasting

Discussion in 'Ballasting' started by Andy64, Aug 17, 2018.

  1. Andy64

    Andy64 Full Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    36
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2018
    Just a few questions on colour and grade. What colour would suit for a 1940 LMS main line light grey dark grey or a mix or light brown. When using woodlands scenically on n gauge fine or med grade any help gratefully received. Thanks Andy
     
  2. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    5,816
    Likes Received:
    6,870
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2017
    The LMS mainly used granite to ballast their main lines, it is a myth that limestone was the norm because that kind of rock is just too weak to support the weight and counteract the forces of track movement, so the granite would be sourced from local quarries with rail access such as Penmenmawr or Peterhead in Cumbria. Peterhead granite has a greenish grey tinge and granite from Wales a purplish pink grey tone. For N Gauge I'd say use fine grade scenics... in real life ballast is no more that 2inch pieces so anything bigger will look like boulders. Weather the ballast with a light spray of track dirt colour to mimic brakedust and the like, don't use brown scenic granules because this will make it look as if your railway is ballasted with garden soil.

    Cheers for now York Paul
     
    Andy_Sollis likes this.
  3. Chatty

    Chatty Full Member

    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    83
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2018
  4. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Another simple golden rule is not to use commercially available HO/OO scale ballast, but to go for N scale ballast as it is closer to scale. Although as Geoff has pointed out above, the DCC Concepts ballast looks ok. In Oz, I prefer to use Matt's Ballast, which is proper to scale and 'real' chippings rather than the commercially available plastic beads of ballast.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  5. mikejh

    mikejh Full Member

    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    43
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    I use mixed grey granite ballast in N gauge on my 00 gauge from “Natural Scenics online” at £6.55 for 1Kg is not too bad for real granite. As Gary said plastic beads look unnatural.
    http://naturalscenicsonline.co.uk/

    Mike
     
  6. Andy64

    Andy64 Full Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    36
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2018
    Thanks Paul you certainly know your stuff:tophat:thanks everyone. Gary I had a look at dcc concepts before they shut up shop here don't know if there are any stockists in Perth were do you get Matt's ballast from?
    Andy
     
  7. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
  8. Andy64

    Andy64 Full Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    36
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2018
    Just a test piece but quite happy so far just a little cleaning up to do then I will try some weathering 20180902_174249.jpg 15358815085181711204763.jpg
     
    jakesdad13 and York Paul like this.
  9. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    5,816
    Likes Received:
    6,870
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2017
    That's really looking the business Andy, with a little bit of dirt / brake dust weathering judiciously applied and it will look even better. Just one further point if I may and that is often modelers fall into the trap of then applying grass right up to the ballast edge which is quite wrong. Best to apply a thin area of ash clinker first and then add in the grass tufts.

    cheers York Paul
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.

Share This Page