Here is a link to a thread on Ballast, Chat, Chert http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/slag-chatt-ballast-colors-and-souces.5367/ India Ink is great for giving that final kind of weathering touch to a lot of MRR surfaces This photos shows Black India Ink used to replicate the many years of locomotives leaking in the ready tracks.
What's the mix for a India ink solution? Seams like it was 50/50 but I don't remember what to mix it with. Also is it recommend to have various strengths to use in different areas, for instance a 75/25 or 35/65 mix or inverted with the first number being India ink? Joe
Thanks Ken, I can see why St. Nick is a jolly old fella with that kind of help. I made the wreath with a pipe cleaner. Hi Joe, I have just always kinds guessed at it myself Joe, I just added a little more if needed, I can tell you in doesn't take much India ink to make a huge difference. In the case of oil spills or a wash you can apply a few times to get a more believable appearance. I have used Browns and other India ink colors mixed as well for rocks too.
Hi Joe, Water with a little rubbing Alcohol. Like I said very thin washes worked best for me, you can always re-apply for darker results.
I posted this on another thread but I thought it would be better on this thread because I have more information. The photo is a medicine dispenser that works great for spreading ballast. Went to Walgreens today and they have them on one of the aisles along with a eye dropper for $3.99. If you go to the pharmacy counter they will give you a dispenser for free. It's hard to beat that price!!! Joe
For applying ballast, I have used a 5 oz Cocktail tumbler to salt the ballast (light shaking in the linear direction) in the area between the rails with a pile that is just about rail height. Then using a Surgical scrub brush with the plastic bristles cut to the width of the ties, I lightly push the brush along the track with the excess ballast overflowing the rails and between the ties outside the rails. By working with the brush carefully on a second or third pass, one can very quickly ballast many feet of track. This has become such practiced technique with me that I can keep ahead of two others applying glue behind me. I have ballasted about 60 feet of double track mainline in about 3 hours on Mike Borkon's Union Pacific Third Sub. Find a Surgical Scrub brush with soft plastic bristles and rinse the soap out of the sponge. Using a hobby knife, cut the outer four rows of bristles off the brush (this should make it the width of the ties.) I use the sponge side to lightly tamp ballast on the slopes of the right of way or the swale between two parallel tracks. Another brush that looks like it will work is this one: https://specialsupplies.com/sensory...MIyZy0zIb34gIVD9bACh2b9QsnEAQYAiABEgKiNfD_BwE
Keith, Very nice work on the ballast. What brand was used ? Was the size suitable for HO and or N scale?
My method is very similar to Keith's. I used a cheap brush, and after the ballast is spread, I hold the brush by the bristles, and smack to tops of the rails. This does a couple things, it knocks the ballast from the sides of the rails, and simulates the action of many trains over the location vibrating the material and settling it somewhat.
Lots of great examples of how to place rock. I use the Arizona Rock also. The guy that is the owner "Phil" made a special run of Frisco, which looks like chat. Mainly white with small amounts of grey. If you use cork, then a little preparation is in order. Rip it apart and glue down well. Sand off the edge as shown. I put a small bead of full strength glue down both sides, brush smooth. I do just like the railroads, lay a generous amount of rock right down the middle between the rails. I use a special tool, my finger and run it down the middle. The ballast will stick to the glue you put on the sides. Use a soft artist brush and brush the center. Use a stick or the other end of the brush, hold at a angle and move forward to shape the shoulder down to the toe line. Care to not get too deep into the glue. After you get it the way you want 50/50 glue, soak it to it. I have not got the photos right, Start at the bottom. You might not think so, but sanding the sides of the cork, gives great results. Happy Ballasting, it nearly killed me.
Actually, I might have told this before, but it's true. It was hot, everyone needed a break, we was dumping rock on the west end of Springfield yard. Rock dosen't run out of cars very well, so four guys get inside the car and shovel it out. We had six cars in this drag, when we got to the last car, I told everyone to just stay in the car. The crew and Roadmaster lost track of where we were. Pretty soon, we hear the engine throttle up. I said" wonder where we're going next." The pin was pulled and we was humped down the lead. We all jumped up and started yelling, but too late to jump, a loud bang and we coupled into a standing cut of cars. We all rolled into the center of the car. The Roadmaster drove like crazy to see if we was ok. No one was hurt, the only one scared was the Roadmaster.
Bill, the neat thing about the surgical scrub brush cut to the width of the ties is that as it pushes the excess ballast ahead of it, the excess flows off the outer ends of the ties at its natural angle of repose and makes a near perfect slope.
Keith, I like that idea. I an going to try that on my remaining track that needs ballast. I might even say it was my idea. Ha Ha. Neat stuff, That was always the job Trackmen wanted. "Dressing Ballast" Guys would say, "Don't walk on my Gravy"
