ballasting turnouts

[Trainiac]

I'm getting ready to build an nscale layout, using atlas turnouts, and I was wondering if anyone had any good tips on ballasting the turnouts?

 

[RexHea]

CAREFULLY!
The first thing I do is put a drop of oil on the point pivots to prevent any glue from getting into them. Also, put oil on the point pull bar/slide and do not put any ballast in these ties. After ballast has dried, remove any loose pieces; these will eventually get in-between the points and rail.

 

[UP2CSX]

Indeed, as Rex said, think about ecah aspect of the turnout before you lay down ballast. It's hard enough to keep ballast from fouling the points and the throw bar in HO let alone N scale. I'd be tempted to use cork roadbed painted to approximately mathc your ballast under the switch and call it good. You can buy spray paint in a variety of colors that come out looking like stone. It's easy to use on your cork and it will look good enough without having to diddle around with a switch for two hours getting it work right again when you're done.

 

[Rico]

Try using the silver metal duct tape (not the grey cloth type).
I lay a strip of tape the shape of the throw area sticky side up, then place the turnout on top. Then I press ballast into the turnout between the ties and around the points. When done the loose ballast falls out and the "stuck" ballast is clear of the throw. Seems to work so far!