Ballast

[Englewood]

Anybody have a recommendation for ballast? I've used Arizona Rock & Mineral before but I've heard that availability is spotty at best. Now I'm going to start ballasting the yard, so a different color is fine. I really like using the real rocks compared to whatever it is that WS is made of. Thanks!

[Mike C]

  I use Scenic Express ballast it's real rock .    Mike

[Scottl]

WS is walnut shells, I believe.

I previously used limestone screenings you buy at a garden store.  If you are lucky enough to live near limestone rock you can collect sand from a river bed.

[ridinshotgun]

I just got an order of ARM ballast.  Took abut 4 weeks to get but they are shipping stuff out.  Not like it is a secret since they posted on their facebook that they are having equipment issues right at the same time they redid their website.

[Angus Shops]

Woodland Scenics also has a mineral product they call ‘Gravel’, which I’ve used on my current layout and I’m very satisfied with it. I use their ‘fine’ product in light gray. Unfortunately it only comes in light gray, a darker gray, and a buff colour. WS intends it to be used for gravel roads and etc., but crushed rock is crushed rock.

[PJPickard]

I just ordered a few different ones from here. I haven't put any down but they look good. I want to try from ARM and Scenic express too.

https://www.superiorscenics.com/

[nkalanaga]

"Standard" mortar sand is very close to N scale ballast size, although colors are limited.  For a yard, that might not be a problem, as most yard ballast is so dirty that one can't tell what color it was to start.  A good coat of paint will give you any color you like.

Actually, most older yards have little visible ballast at all, it just looks like packed dirt.

If you try mortar sand, which I use for scenery base on most flat surfaces, one advantage is that it's cheap.  I have no idea what it costs today, but 20 years ago, I bought a boxful for $1.00.  The masonry supply sold it by the truckload, and their scale was marked in tons, so we had to guess at the weight.  The salesman and I agreed that, based on the volume, it was probably about 80 pounds.  It sold for $20.00/ton, so we settled on 100 pounds - to keep it simple!  It would be more expensive at a building supply store, bagged, but still cheaper than commercial ballast.

[signalmaintainer]

Anybody have a recommendation for ballast? I've used Arizona Rock & Mineral before but I've heard that availability is spotty at best. Now I'm going to start ballasting the yard, so a different color is fine. I really like using the real rocks compared to whatever it is that WS is made of. Thanks!

I use finely sifted and rinsed beach sand. Run a magnet through it to collect any ferrous bits, and after the dilute matte medium is dry, I pick out the few (very few) bits of glass that catch the light. It's cheap, not monotone (but not "salt and peppery," either), and doesn't "float" when wetted.

[John]

You can also add some color to your glue/water mix .. that helps with the sand

[mu26aeh]

Similar topic running over in the product section

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=55595.0

[Pomperaugrr]

I have been using a combination of Smith & Sons and Arizona Rock & Mineral ballast to get the appearance I need for the Housatonic RR.  *except for the areas that are actually mired in mud & muck... 

I mix them in a 1:3 ratio, but will vary it to represent recently reballasted areas and for variation.  Areas like yards will have more sanded grout than ballast to show the lower maintenance.

I am happy with the size and texture for N scale.

[PJPickard]

So Smith & Sons is no longer available? I asked on their FB page a few months ago and got a yes it is available response? I have a soft spot for them as I grew up very near them. The sanded grout thing as recc by Ed was a bust for me as none of the box stores seem to have it.

I found this place that has a lot of colors online
https://www.grout360.com/collections/sanded-grout

[ridinshotgun]

So Smith & Sons is no longer available? I asked on their FB page a few months ago and got a yes it is available response? I have a soft spot for them as I grew up very near them. The sanded grout thing as recc by Ed was a bust for me as none of the box stores seem to have it.

I found this place that has a lot of colors online
https://www.grout360.com/collections/sanded-grout

That would be interesting since they haven't posted on their FB page in almost three years.  In the last thread discussing them some members knew the grandson that supposedly took over and were going to talk to him but nothing ever came of that.  No one seems to have any luck with getting a current contact method or a response to those that were successful in the past.  It is a shame since I think they had the best ballast for modeling SP that doesn't seem to be available anymore from anyone else in a usable N scale format that is consistent.

[Chris333]

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48681.msg646653#msg646653

[ridinshotgun]

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48681.msg646653#msg646653

And here is the thread with info about the deaths of Harley and his son, Dale, that set S&S into what appears to be a downward spiral.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=43754.msg567553#msg567553