Rail yard ground cover

[Motley]

I'm wondering what you guys use for ground cover for the rail yards? Do you use ballast? Or paint, or what should I use exactly.

 

[Rico]

I usually start off with ballast then some ground foam followed by debris.
Between the rails I dribble ground foam to represent spilled grain and coal to represent, well, spilled coal.
A bridge over a rail yard is a great place to get inspired from.
I'm actually starting on a yard soon so i'll keep an eye on this thread for more ideas!

 

[Motley]

Thanks for the ideas!

What about corkbed? I assume no corkbed right, only for your mainlines?

 

[Rico]

I use HO scale cork for my mains and N scale cork for sidings since they should be lower than main tracks.
Yards can be done on cork sheet, I used rubber sheet on the last layout.
On my current layout I went right on the plywood since it's a smaller yard, but it is noisier than cork would be.
Scan thru the forum photo section for some great yard shots and more.

 

[Selector]

I glued my track elements in place, and then sprinkled sifted garden soil mixed with some Plaster of Paris powder. I spread it with a brush, carefully to avoid raising dust, and rolled it flat with a small mustard jar on its side, or used my thumb tip. I then wet it with isopropyl alcohol and water mixed at 70% alcohol, and dribbled glue all over the material. It left a somewhat hard flake, somewhat fragile as well, so I have to be careful. It is only 1/8" or a bit more deep, and that is what makes it fragile if you are not careful. So far I have managed to keep it intact. Here is what it looks like:

The other direction:

Those are with the camera lens much closer to the substance than your eyes will ever get. Here is a view that you and any guests would see:

-Crandell

 

[Irongrave]

Another trick is to give the base a good coat of paint a nice dark gray works well so you're not trying to cover plywood with all cover. makes life a little easier.

 

[Larry]

I painted mine w/Gray paint long before I laid track. Then, I used dirt, sawdust, ground cover, weeds, grass & other stuff. My yard is big, so, I have a lot of room to play in.

 

[Beachbum]

Some people use tile grout with sand in it and embed the tracks so they look sunken. Grout is caustic though (and permanent!) so use gloves and follow all safety instructions.

 

[Secondhandmodeler]

This thread is very timely for me. Any other ideas for a base coverage?

 

[OCN Guy]

I usually start off with ballast then some ground foam followed by debris.
Between the rails I dribble ground foam to represent spilled grain and coal to represent, well, spilled coal.

This was how I was planning on doing it... all Woodland Scenic stuff. Woodland Scenic earth, coal... got to see how it takes airbrushing though, to represent spilled oil & fuel around the maintenance areas. I'll do a test board to try it soon and let everyone see how it worked out.