@slendersausage For the Mainlines it's pre-cut. Do a Google search on Midwest Cork roadbed. For the crossover I had to take a larger piece and cut it to size.
Thank you much for another well done video series on model railroading. I'm getting very close to ballasting my track, so I remember having watched your videos before. Glad that I found you again and thank you for your efforts. You're helping many of us neophites in many ways my friend. Oh, almost forgot! How long would be a good lapse of time between wet-water application and the scenic cement? Cheers!!!
Thanks for the video, I've never done ballasting before but I bought all the tools and material that I thought I needed. I'm so glad that I didn't start yet because I was thought I had to mix everything together before I put it on the track. This has been a great help.
Your videos have been a HUGE help. I have been working on a 4x8 ON30 layout and have used EVERY single tip that you have out on youtube. Thanks a lot E.
@thebige61 umn your balasting like way to big.... i can probably fit 2 more tracks slanted on either side of the balast.... lol think about it... if your were shrunk it would be like 30 feet acrost...balast usualy goes prototypicaly 7
I do n scale, but I use wet water from an eyedropper....woodland scenics says to spray the the cement and wipe down the rails, but I prefer the eyedropper method.
Is that a sjip switch just beyond the two turn outs you were ballasting? Did you make it? I would like to try one, but it seems a bit intimidating.
Your vids are way better than TV. I just finished the 58 part series on hand laying turnouts. I feel like the season just ended and now I have to wait til next season..
Great video. Thanks. I can never see too many different methods. One thing I find easier is to leave the ballasting until after the other scenery is done. I find that if you do the ballast first it makes putting dirt and grass down harder. Like the real world, grass/dirt came first, then the balalst was put down ;-) Thanks again! I'm subscribing.
Nive vids, but i was wandering about what to do with the track that has the "base" attached to it. I have HO powerlock track that has a black base which isnt very realistic, so what exactly should i do? will this same process work?
I had someone ask me a similar question a few weeks back. I don't have a good answer for that since I don't have any experience with putting ballast on powerlock track. I believe the profile of powerlock tack is a lot taller than just cork + track so you'd end up putting a whole tome more ballast down just to cover the road bed. What you might want to do is test the method out on one section of track that's been secured to a piece of plywood (you may end sacrificing this piece for testing).
You might be able to mix methods. You could try "spreading" undiluted glue on the sides of the track and sprinkle ballast on it and let it try. You could then use the method I show in the video for the top of the track. This method will take longer but I think it might work.
I built a layout that used bachmen easy track, and it was very complicated for the outside part because it is so steep. I read in Model Railroader after I had down this, that instead of ballasting the whole track, just put some along the edge of each side of the track so you don't see the straight edge of the track. It gives the track a more appealing look. But from my experience with ballasting track with a base on it, it doesn't give real appealing looks.
Have you watered down that scenic cement? Over in the UK, the stuff I buy is a lot thicker than what it looks like in your eye dropper. Thanks for uploading this vid.
There will be too much over spray and you'll probably gunk a whole bunch of other stuff up in the process. you need to put a lot of cement on the ballast and the eyedropper is the best way to do it as far as I know.
Thank you every much. These videos were very helpful befor i start my ho scale layout. I didnt know nothing and now from all this i fell like my layout is gonna be very good. thanks again for these videos.
I plan on doing a series on wheathering rolling stock using artists chalk. I just need to find the time to do it. Things get busier around here during the summer.
I have been building my HO layout for a while now and your videos have helped a lot..However, I am thinking of moving from HO to N scale (as you did) just because of limited space... Do you have any regrets going to N from HO? What do u do with you old HO stuff? Thanks!
this is great. Two questions though. The wet water and scenic cement, do they do any damage to the rails or connections? do you have to clean the rails when you're done? Also, how do you make the tunnels in the foam?
>The wet water and scenic cement, do they do any damage to the rails or connections? Nope.
>do you have to clean the rails when you're done?
Yes.
>Also, how do you make the tunnels in the foam?
Stack blocks of foam on either side of the track until there is enough clearance for your tallest cars/engines. Glue a piece of foam on top of your stacks. Design your tunnel so that the entrance to your tunnel is only a couple of inches deep.
In other words you want to be able to get to your train if you have a derailment. If you build your tunnel so that it is a long narrow passage through the foam your going to have an awful time getting to your cars. Try to design your mountain to that its hollow and has some way of getting to your cares (like having a lift out section)
It looks like you covered your track while you covered the area with dirt and grass and in this video you put the ballast down first? Which do you like to do first?
Well now that you mention it I probably do prefer to do the ground cover first. I had a bunch of people ask me to do a series on ballasting so that's why I did the ballast before the ground cover. I put the ground cover on first before the ballast over in the mountains. Why? When I do ground cover I put painters masking tape over the tracks to keep the grasses from falling on them.
Once I have the ground cover down I then spray it with bit of "wet" water to hold things in place and then shoot it with scenic cement to glue things in place. The problem now is when I tape over the tracks I'll need to tape over the ballast as well and may possibly pull some up when it remove the tape...Oh well. I can always touch it up when all's said and done...
is it safe to apply scenic cement on the rails? will the trains still run on them properly?
terrorrname 6 months ago
@terrorrname Yes. just make sure you brush out as much ballast as possible from between the rails before applying the scenic cement.
thebige61 5 months ago
thanks amazing video
14blackboard 8 months ago
Great video, very helpful. I've never been able to ballast properly before,but i can now.
777ollieg 8 months ago in playlist How to Ballast
How did you cut your cork to the exact cut size for the track to go on
slendersausage 9 months ago
@slendersausage For the Mainlines it's pre-cut. Do a Google search on Midwest Cork roadbed. For the crossover I had to take a larger piece and cut it to size.
E
thebige61 8 months ago
Thank you much for another well done video series on model railroading. I'm getting very close to ballasting my track, so I remember having watched your videos before. Glad that I found you again and thank you for your efforts. You're helping many of us neophites in many ways my friend. Oh, almost forgot! How long would be a good lapse of time between wet-water application and the scenic cement? Cheers!!!
cuadrature 1 year ago
Thanks for the video, I've never done ballasting before but I bought all the tools and material that I thought I needed. I'm so glad that I didn't start yet because I was thought I had to mix everything together before I put it on the track. This has been a great help.
JohnnyNCindy 1 year ago
Your videos have been a HUGE help. I have been working on a 4x8 ON30 layout and have used EVERY single tip that you have out on youtube. Thanks a lot E.
freymaster4449 1 year ago
I know that water does not damage the tracks, but does the scenic cement damage the tracks?
AIRJORDAN9411 1 year ago
No. It doesn't but you want to be careful about how much you use near turnout points. It can gum those up.
thebige61 1 year ago
@thebige61 umn your balasting like way to big.... i can probably fit 2 more tracks slanted on either side of the balast.... lol think about it... if your were shrunk it would be like 30 feet acrost...balast usualy goes prototypicaly 7
Knexaddict 2 weeks ago
Yet another perfect presentation!
Kevingoblu 2 years ago
Ok so let me get this straight:
1. Add balast.
2.Spray with wet water from sprayer.
3.Get an eyedropper and put drops between the rails and at the sides.
And done. Am I right?
AndreyCracker 2 years ago
I do n scale, but I use wet water from an eyedropper....woodland scenics says to spray the the cement and wipe down the rails, but I prefer the eyedropper method.
Jigsaw3477 2 years ago
son exseletes tu videos
trenomardavid 2 years ago
does is have to be special glue? or can u use water downed PVA or Wood Glue?
cheers for your help
BIASpotter 2 years ago
It's just watered down white elmers glue.
E
thebige61 2 years ago
where did you get all the pink foam stuff from as i am in england not the usa but could you surgest anywhere that sells or has it thanks .
pyronathanpyro
pyronathanpyro 2 years ago
I got this tip from another viewer who lives in the UK. You can get the foam from b&q hardware store. It cost around £20 and you get 4 sheets.
thebige61 2 years ago
ahhh thanks thats helpfull. b&q is our version of home depot
crubba 2 years ago
Is that a sjip switch just beyond the two turn outs you were ballasting? Did you make it? I would like to try one, but it seems a bit intimidating.
Your vids are way better than TV. I just finished the 58 part series on hand laying turnouts. I feel like the season just ended and now I have to wait til next season..
lanceraider 2 years ago
Nope. It's just a crossover. I've never attempted a slip switch.
E
thebige61 2 years ago
Thanks man, that series helped alot!
schul4 2 years ago
i have atlas code 100 ho scale track.....can you ballast that track with out any roadbad under it? or do you recomend that i put roadbed
robgoalie1234 2 years ago
I am no expert but I think roadbed helps a lot. Of course this is 3 months after you posted so I wonder what your results were?
scandalousrogue 2 years ago
How do you ballast around the tiebars? Video 4 stops short of showing this.
Thanks.
mjt4771 2 years ago
Very carefully. I don't put any adhesive near the throw bar (and very little ballast).
thebige61 2 years ago
A photo or video would be useful at some point. Thanks for taking the effort to video and post all your videos. They have been VERY helpfull.
mjt4771 2 years ago
Great video. Thanks. I can never see too many different methods. One thing I find easier is to leave the ballasting until after the other scenery is done. I find that if you do the ballast first it makes putting dirt and grass down harder. Like the real world, grass/dirt came first, then the balalst was put down ;-) Thanks again! I'm subscribing.
jonnyspeed 3 years ago
I normally put ballast on after most of the scenery. The location I picked was just easier for me to get a half decent camera angle.
thebige61 3 years ago
Nive vids, but i was wandering about what to do with the track that has the "base" attached to it. I have HO powerlock track that has a black base which isnt very realistic, so what exactly should i do? will this same process work?
colinroxanduknowit 3 years ago
I had someone ask me a similar question a few weeks back. I don't have a good answer for that since I don't have any experience with putting ballast on powerlock track. I believe the profile of powerlock tack is a lot taller than just cork + track so you'd end up putting a whole tome more ballast down just to cover the road bed. What you might want to do is test the method out on one section of track that's been secured to a piece of plywood (you may end sacrificing this piece for testing).
thebige61 3 years ago
You might be able to mix methods. You could try "spreading" undiluted glue on the sides of the track and sprinkle ballast on it and let it try. You could then use the method I show in the video for the top of the track. This method will take longer but I think it might work.
thebige61 3 years ago
I built a layout that used bachmen easy track, and it was very complicated for the outside part because it is so steep. I read in Model Railroader after I had down this, that instead of ballasting the whole track, just put some along the edge of each side of the track so you don't see the straight edge of the track. It gives the track a more appealing look. But from my experience with ballasting track with a base on it, it doesn't give real appealing looks.
NSTrainFan 3 years ago
do you let the water dry before you put on the scienic cement. sorry if the spelling is wrong
FunTownTrains 3 years ago
No, I put the scenic cement on right after the water. Don't use too much water.
E
thebige61 3 years ago
Have you watered down that scenic cement? Over in the UK, the stuff I buy is a lot thicker than what it looks like in your eye dropper. Thanks for uploading this vid.
hmplantman 3 years ago
No It's not watered down. This is straight from the bottle.
thebige61 3 years ago
Thanks for the advice!
Coffeeshop246 3 years ago
What happens if you accedently put some senic cement on the tracks?Do you have to wipe it quickly?
bigtrainrocks 3 years ago
No. I just let everything dry then clean the tops of the rails with 1500 grit water proof sandpaper.
thebige61 3 years ago
There will be too much over spray and you'll probably gunk a whole bunch of other stuff up in the process. you need to put a lot of cement on the ballast and the eyedropper is the best way to do it as far as I know.
thebige61 3 years ago
Another great video series!!! I enjoyed watching them! Thanks for posting these!
ennout 3 years ago
Thank you every much. These videos were very helpful befor i start my ho scale layout. I didnt know nothing and now from all this i fell like my layout is gonna be very good. thanks again for these videos.
CNrailfan50 3 years ago
Do you have plans to release any more series?! I check your videos about once a week to see if anything new is happening.
capograced 3 years ago
I plan on doing a series on wheathering rolling stock using artists chalk. I just need to find the time to do it. Things get busier around here during the summer.
E
thebige61 3 years ago
Hi,
I have been building my HO layout for a while now and your videos have helped a lot..However, I am thinking of moving from HO to N scale (as you did) just because of limited space... Do you have any regrets going to N from HO? What do u do with you old HO stuff? Thanks!
neelabharora 3 years ago
No regrets making the move at all. I ended up selling a lot of my HO stuff on E-bay.
E
thebige61 3 years ago
This is a good video, but I like to use the Scenic Express matte medium better. You can skip a few steps by doing that.
StickRail1 3 years ago
this is great. Two questions though. The wet water and scenic cement, do they do any damage to the rails or connections? do you have to clean the rails when you're done? Also, how do you make the tunnels in the foam?
kermityo123 4 years ago
>The wet water and scenic cement, do they do any damage to the rails or connections? Nope.
>do you have to clean the rails when you're done?
Yes.
>Also, how do you make the tunnels in the foam?
Stack blocks of foam on either side of the track until there is enough clearance for your tallest cars/engines. Glue a piece of foam on top of your stacks. Design your tunnel so that the entrance to your tunnel is only a couple of inches deep.
thebige61 4 years ago
Continued...
In other words you want to be able to get to your train if you have a derailment. If you build your tunnel so that it is a long narrow passage through the foam your going to have an awful time getting to your cars. Try to design your mountain to that its hollow and has some way of getting to your cares (like having a lift out section)
Hope this helps.
E
thebige61 4 years ago
E
It looks like you covered your track while you covered the area with dirt and grass and in this video you put the ballast down first? Which do you like to do first?
Dennis
perkspub 4 years ago
Well now that you mention it I probably do prefer to do the ground cover first. I had a bunch of people ask me to do a series on ballasting so that's why I did the ballast before the ground cover. I put the ground cover on first before the ballast over in the mountains. Why? When I do ground cover I put painters masking tape over the tracks to keep the grasses from falling on them.
thebige61 4 years ago
Continued...
Once I have the ground cover down I then spray it with bit of "wet" water to hold things in place and then shoot it with scenic cement to glue things in place. The problem now is when I tape over the tracks I'll need to tape over the ballast as well and may possibly pull some up when it remove the tape...Oh well. I can always touch it up when all's said and done...
E
thebige61 4 years ago
You can't believe how much you have helped my with my return to modeling railroads. Keep up the great work.
perkspub 4 years ago
great job. i have just started laying track on my layout and using the extruded foam for scenery.
rcmaniajato 4 years ago