What Ballast

[Der Rechtsanwalt]

I'm looking at doing a quick diorama using Code 75 track of the Dublin/Galway line. The era is modern.

Does anyone have a view on the best ballast to use? If you could also mention the brand and grade it would be most helpful.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Der Rechtsanwalt

[Broithe]

Some pictures of ballast at Ballybrophy.

 

[murrayec]

I like the weathering on the second last image!

Eoin

[Broithe]

  On 25/6/2024 at 5:02 PM, murrayec said:

I like the weathering on the second last image!

Eoin

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That's the loop platform, about ten years ago now.

Edited June 25, 2024 by Broithe
Arithmetic...

[Der Rechtsanwalt]

Thanks Fellas,

All of the suggestions and advice is most helpful.

I'll post a few pictures when this project is complete.

[Broithe]

  On 25/6/2024 at 8:04 PM, Der Rechtsanwalt said:

Thanks Fellas,

All of the suggestions and advice is most helpful.

I'll post a few pictures when this project is complete.

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Looking forward to it.

 

  On 25/6/2024 at 6:36 PM, Turvinlad said:

DCC Concepts do excellent ballast, in 00 & N, small tubs to extra large size. Newly laid to weathered types.

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In general, model ballast tends to be overscale, I find - so N usually looks better on a 00 layout.

[Rob]

Avoid ballast that is quite light in colour as even though it may look like the real life version above in Ballybrophy, it can end up looking like white snow!!

I mixed some darker colours with it to temper that 'snow' effect in Heuston North if that helps.

Best of luck and look forward to the photos

[Horsetan]

  On 25/6/2024 at 3:01 PM, Broithe said:

Some pictures of ballast at Ballybrophy.

 

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From some of the modern day Irish network photos, it tends to appear that the ballast coverage is so thorough that you can't see the sleepers anymore. 

[Broithe]

  On 26/6/2024 at 9:24 AM, Horsetan said:

From some of the modern day Irish network photos, it tends to appear that the ballast coverage is so thorough that you can't see the sleepers anymore. 

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It may not matter so much if concrete sleepers are buried.

[Barl]

  On 26/6/2024 at 9:24 AM, Horsetan said:

From some of the modern day Irish network photos, it tends to appear that the ballast coverage is so thorough that you can't see the sleepers anymore. 

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Freshly laid ballast will cover most of the sleepers but the ballast regulator - currently 703 that I'm aware of (with a new one to be commissioned) - normally removes most of the ballast from the top of the sleepers in the 5-foot. This doesn't always happen and can take some time after relaying. Removing the ballast allows the sleepers to be inspected easier and makes walking the track a bit less uncomfortable! 

[David Holman]

Woodlands Scenics ballast is good. Made from crushed coconut shells and comes in a variety of grades and colours. As already said, go for finer grades. If only 1mm in size, that still works out at three inch/75mm lumps. Plenty big enough in 4mm scale, methinks.