Roundhouse Muck?

[CBQ Fan]

So, what are you all using to model your roundhouse and engine yard muck?  You know that black nasty stuff that covers everything but the rails?  Especially in the 50's and 60's when the EPA had not been invented yet?  Pics as always would be awesome!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Black unsanded grout over black paint.

It's the shiz.

[mark dance]

I have started the Nelson diesel house area and am trying various shades of PanPastels over painted sand.

You asked for a picture but this is the best I have right now, sorry.  The PanPastel colours are visible in front of the black car.  There is more behind the H-Liner.



md

[w neal]

Black unsanded grout over black paint.

Or black ground goop with some black sand/grout in it? You could put a layer down wet, then place your tracks in it, letting the goop seep up through to the top of the ties (as it appears to do in such prototype areas). The track would be held down as the goop dries. Be mindful though of how much water you put in your goop mixture. Different amounts of water give different results. Try an experimental area a few times, before a final attempt.

[MichaelWinicki]

I primarily used Arizona Rock & Mineral's Extra Fine Asphalt paving powder, which I got through Fifer Hobby... http://fiferhobby.com/html/arizona_rock_and_mineral.html

[John]

Ed K has done some neat things with un-sanded grout

[Roger Holmes]

This is Woodland Scenics fine cinders---

[wm3798]

I used a blend of black WS cinders and black craft sand from Ben Franklin.  But I've seen Ed's work with the grout, and it is very good.  Just be very careful with it.  It gets everywhere.  Think drywall dust, only black.  Yeah, it's that bad.  Turn off the ceiling fan, or anything else that moves air.  You will find it drifting into your third floor bathroom if you don't.

Lee

[DKS]

I started with a mix of cinders and dark grey ballast; when this was dry, I brushed on black chalk. This allowed me to vary the "intensity" of the muck. To make some areas appear saturated with oil, I brushed on some CA over the black chalk.

[RWCJr]

Really like the use of CA to produce standing oil puddles! Thx for posting.

[peteski]

I started with a mix of cinders and dark grey ballast; when this was dry, I brushed on black chalk. This allowed me to vary the "intensity" of the muck. To make some areas appear saturated with oil, I brushed on some CA over the black chalk.

Oil spill!  OMG, OMG!  OSHA AND EPA would have a field day at that site!  Um, those puddles arent oil but CA glue?! That's even worse! Those workers aren't wearing any protective clothing or a breathing apparatus! 

[wazzou]

Those workers aren't wearing any protective clothing or a breathing apparatus! 

I hope the worker's eyes don't fog from the CA... 

[nkalanaga]

For my coal company's loading area I made a "concoction" from roughly equal parts black acrylic craft paint, white glue, and water.  After ballasting deeply with a mix of AR&M Basalt (NP) and cinders, and letting that dry, I painted the entire are with the "concoction".  Everything came out "coal sludge" black.  The same could be done with any color, so should work for "Roundhouse Muck".

[CBQ Fan]

Great information and ideas!!!  I am going to have to try some out!