Weekend Update - 3/29/2009

[GaryHinshaw]

I had an odd exchange with one of the owners of Scenic Express at the last Timonium show in January.  They had 1 quart of S&S Penn-Ohio #50 in stock at their booth so I bought it, and while I was checking out I asked the guy if they were still carrying it.  He said they grind it themselves (in PA) and they were having trouble keeping the dust under control for the fine sizes, but they were working on it....  It was a bit of a Twilight Zone moment because there had been a thread here about S&S just before then giving info about how it's made in NE Ohio by Smith & Son (naturally).  The Scenic Express guy didn't seem to know what I was talking about, and vice versa.  (Maybe they have taken over the operation in-house?)  If I make it to the show this weekend, and they are there, I'll try again.

BTW Ian, that is one of the neatest ballast job I've ever seen.  Any tips on spreading or bonding?

-Gary

[seusscaboose]

I had an odd exchange with one of the owners of Scenic Express at the last Timonium show in January.  They had 1 quart of S&S Penn-Ohio #50 in stock at their booth so I bought it, and while I was checking out I asked the guy if they were still carrying it.  He said they grind it themselves (in PA) and they were having trouble keeping the dust under control for the fine sizes, but they were working on it....  It was a bit of a Twilight Zone moment because there had been a thread here about S&S just before then giving info about how it's made in NE Ohio by Smith & Son (naturally).  The Scenic Express guy didn't seem to know what I was talking about, and vice versa.  (Maybe they have taken over the operation in-house?)  If I make it to the show this weekend, and they are there, I'll try again.

BTW Ian, that is one of the neatest ballast job I've ever seen.  Any tips on spreading or bonding?

-Gary

scenic express doesnt carry it... you gotta buy direct... they make it in ohio... nice old gentleman... only takes orders over the phone... no CC required... sends you the product.. then sends you an invoice... 

Smith & Son Ballast, 13630 G.A.R. Highway, Chardon, OH 44024. Phone is 440-286-4890 between 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. Cost will be between $2.00 and $2.50 per one pound bag PLUS S&H. A 1 pound bag is approximately 16 cubic inches of sifted stone. They do NOT want payment until you get an invoice due to the fact you are shipping rock around the country and they don't know shipping ahead of time. An invoice and actual shipment goes out at the same time. Do not become their first customer to skip out on the bill


btw, yes, i agree... very nice ballasting Ian... i won't embarrase myself and post pictures of my work in the ballast category... i am "still refining" my technique

[asciibaron]

i really like the results of the S&S - the difference in material composition shows - the ground walnut shells just don't work in N scale - i have a container of WS Buff that i tried to use and it's just horrible.  i'll be picking up some S&S stuff soon.

[Chris333]

Scenic Express did or does sell it, but they were out of the Penn-Ohio last time so I ordered direct.

[SirTainly]

Thats a very impressive freelance scheme.  Quite plausible/realistic in design.

Nice work.

Thanks, and good to see you VAR backtoo

[Ian MacMillan]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'll post something on the ballasting shortly when I get a chance.

I get my S&S ballast direct. I ordered 10lbs last month and the total bill was about $28.

[central.vermont]

Ian,

That S&S ballast looks great on your layout man!!! I see you can get it
direct from them but I was wondering is there somewhere you can see
what colors they carry? I'm looking for something in the light gray with
browns mixed in.

Jon

[seusscaboose]

Ian,

That S&S ballast looks great on your layout man!!! I see you can get it
direct from them but I was wondering is there somewhere you can see
what colors they carry? I'm looking for something in the light gray with
browns mixed in.

Jon

there is no where to see the colors...
pick up the phone, call the guy, ask for a description... they are spot on... no doubt... he has many different choices... tell him what you want... he operates by phone only.

he works out of a shed in his backyard...and is very old...  buy now.. buy often... 
a website is not a realistic expectation...

been there, done that, got the t-shirt

[Ian MacMillan]

Ian,

That S&S ballast looks great on your layout man!!! I see you can get it
direct from them but I was wondering is there somewhere you can see
what colors they carry? I'm looking for something in the light gray with
browns mixed in.

Jon

there is no where to see the colors...
pick up the phone, call the guy, ask for a description... they are spot on... no doubt... he has many different choices... tell him what you want... he operates by phone only.

he works out of a shed in his backyard...and is very old...  buy now.. buy often... 
a website is not a realistic expectation...

been there, done that, got the t-shirt

The Scenic Express page has some el basico photos;
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/products.asp?dept=1107