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| Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 09:10 pm |
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1st Post |
Gunslinger_Fur
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| Joined: | Fri Mar 4th, 2011 |
| Location: | Helen, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 77 |
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Hey all, got a question for you.
I know stone ballasted track is one's usual go-to.
But what if you wanted to model a run down, po-dunk,
and likely not well financed (or maybe a really cheap) narrow gauge line,
that ballasts their track with dirt.
Currently working in HOn30,
but I plan on building a larger O scale narrow gauge layout in the future.
So if you guys know of any good methods or techniques, on modeling dirt ballast,
I would sincerely appreciate it.
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A.J. Davis
Silence is golden... But Duct Tape is silver.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 10:44 pm |
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2nd Post |
slateworks
Registered
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Not exactly dirt ballast, but run down and badly maintained, like much of Updah !
This is On30, and the ballast basis is Vermiculite, a very lightweight ground volcanic rock,
used as bedding for snakes, and bought at the local garden centre's pet shop.
With the addition of kiln dried sand,
the sort used in block paving jobs, and very dry and fine grained.
Mixed together, and given a wash of rust weathering powder, mixed with IPA.
Don't know if this is the effect you're after, but it's a suggestion, and is easy to lay.
____________________
Doug
Updah Creek http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=7457&forum_id=4&page=1
My Flickr albums https://www.flickr.com/photos/33431492@N04/albums
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13th, 2020 01:25 am |
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3rd Post |
Gunslinger_Fur
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| Joined: | Fri Mar 4th, 2011 |
| Location: | Helen, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 77 |
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Wow
I gotta say that looks pretty fantastic !
On30 is my scale and gauge of preferred choice,
but for now I'm working in HOn30.
Not sure is that volcanic rock stuff will work in HO,
but I might be able to get away with using N scale ballast as a substitute.
At least for HOn30.
But it does have the overall look of what I am looking for.
Though I have to ask, is the IPA already diluted with water ?
And what would be your approximate ratio ?
And also could I use a different color of weathering powder,
to model a different region's native dirt color ?
____________________
A.J. Davis
Silence is golden... But Duct Tape is silver.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13th, 2020 03:30 pm |
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4th Post |
slateworks
Registered
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The IPA I used for the weathering powder mix is the 70% variety,
and I don't have a ratio I'm afraid, I just mix up a slurry, in an old baking tray pot.
I mix a relatively small amount at a time,
usually no more than a level teaspoonful of powder,
and then slowly add IPA, until I get a milky result.
I don't mix too much at a time, as the IPA evaporates fairly quickly,
leaving a dry paste, rather than a wash which I paint onto the surface.
You can mix any coloured weathering powder to suit the area you're dealing with.
I use Artitec powders by choice, so I don't know what would happen with other makes,
but I imagine nothing too drastically different.
I'm not pushing the Vermiculite,
but it is worth looking in your local pet shop if you have one.
It's surprising how many useful products for scenic work there are.
Hope this all helps.
____________________
Doug
Updah Creek http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=7457&forum_id=4&page=1
My Flickr albums https://www.flickr.com/photos/33431492@N04/albums
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 03:38 am |
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5th Post |
Michael M
Registered
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I collect dirt.
Stored in bottles, jars, and cans.
Depending on what I'm doing,
I may screen it, or just pour it out.
For ballast I use screened sand.
The screen is just a piece of window screen,
and I use the type of sand used in concrete.
Simple. Cheap. Easy.
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Michael
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Nye, Inyo & Esmeralda Railroad
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183715370@N03/albums/72157710477887657/
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21st, 2020 12:59 am |
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6th Post |
| Posted: Sat Mar 21st, 2020 05:57 am |
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7th Post |
Ken C
Registered
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I collect, mill tailing's from various mining & milling operation's.
I have a set of screens for sizing of the tailing's,
so I end up with 7 grades of material, from 1/4 Inch+ down to -80. 
The most important thing, is to label which mine or mill site it came from,
just in case I need more.
For tree trunk's and logs, I use old Lilac bush branch's,
great bark detail, coated with "Mod Pog" to seal.
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Ken Clark
GWN
Kaslo & Slocan Railway
International Navigation & Trading Co
Kootenay Railway & Navigation Co.
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| Posted: Tue Mar 24th, 2020 02:04 am |
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8th Post |
Warren G
Registered
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I just used plain sand blasting sand by itself.
A fifty five pound bag for around nine backs or so.
The sand itself contained enough small quartz that it added quite a bit of realism.
warren
____________________
Regards, Warren
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