What ballast/products do I need to create a river scene like this?

[BN-6811]

I'm making an addition to my layout and I will need to extend a very small river at the edge of my layout, and I'll be adding a bridge over the new section.

I've attached a few picture of the type of terrain I'd like to replicate which is a mostly dry river bed with a lot of gravel. My layout is set in Southeast Missouri and a lot of the Rivers/Streams look like this.

I haven't decided if I'm going to try to model any water or not yet, but if I do it will be very little, I want it to look mostly dry.

Would getting a similar color ballast work and if so what would you suggest? I will be attaching it to foamboard and wood. Would I use the same method as ballasting track to attach it?

 

[NorthBrit]

Just my 2 centsworth

I do not know what scenery materials are available over the pond.

Start with the sky. Note the sky looks different in all three pictures. Sky is not 'blue'. It is not always sunny. Choose wisely.
Trees are fifty shades of green with dark purple to confuse. No black.

Normally I would do the gravel next, but water can be difficult. (You can get wet ) I would use a ripple glass. Fix that in position.

Then use your gravel. Make sure it is hidden into the trees. Give the impression the trees are growing through the gravel.
At the waters edge use a clear varnish and cover most with gravel. Making sure the edge is uneven. Sprinkle a a little gravel onto varnish a little away from the main land. Not too far away. Just a little offshore. Not too much either. You do not want to overdo it.

Like I say. Just my 2 centsworth.

Good luck.

 

[CN2117]

For the gravel, I would consider looking at sanded grout in a big box hardware store. (Flooring tile section). You night find a good shade there.

 

[Rico]

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/videos

 

[NVSrr1500]

Go to similar location with bucket. Fill bucket with material found at location. Take over kitchen with sieves of different sizes and containers. Keep sieving material into grated sizes into bins. Label each bin with the drive size then apply to shoreline. Best part is it is free.

Trees scenic express super trees is a good match. The dead trees could be sticks. There are nervous backdrops for sky avaliable.

 

[NVSrr1500]

The island is made up of all
seived material. The abutments are a number 8 stone. The ML4000 buried behind the trees on the bridge is a piko version

 

[NVSrr1500]

View attachment 211699
The island is made up of all
seived material. The abutments are a number 8 stone. The ML4000 buried behind the trees on the bridge is a piko version

The dust is all natural material too. Trees and super trees

 

[Marlin39]

I'm making an addition to my layout and I will need to extend a very small river at the edge of my layout, and I'll be adding a bridge over the new section.

I've attached a few picture of the type of terrain I'd like to replicate which is a mostly dry river bed with a lot of gravel. My layout is set in Southeast Missouri and a lot of the Rivers/Streams look like this.

I haven't decided if I'm going to try to model any water or not yet, but if I do it will be very little, I want it to look mostly dry.

Would getting a similar color ballast work and if so what would you suggest? I will be attaching it to foamboard and wood. Would I use the same method as ballasting track to attach it?

finely sieve some decomposed granite. It will look more realistic. Home Depot has it, but you can probably find it cheaper at landscape supply stores. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwe...XIu_8BC8tBERCi-h9dhoC3j0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

also watch these videos.

 

[BN-6811]

Thanks everyone. I'm mostly interested in recreating the rocks of the riverbed, not necessarily the trees and sky.

I like the idea of getting real rock but to get to a river that looks like that is a long drive and I don't know when I'll be down that way again.

Walthers has a lot of ballast in different colors, does anyone have a suggestion of what color/s would match this the best?

 

[NWP Dave]

Thanks everyone. I'm mostly interested in recreating the rocks of the riverbed, not necessarily the trees and sky.

I like the idea of getting real rock but to get to a river that looks like that is a long drive and I don't know when I'll be down that way again.

Walthers has a lot of ballast in different colors, does anyone have a suggestion of what color/s would match this the best?

I thought that the ballast you have in your post regarding turnouts looked pretty close to the riverbank color in the river pics.

 

[BN-6811]

I thought that the ballast you have in your post regarding turnouts looked pretty close to the riverbank color in the river pics.

That ballast is too grey, probably the camera not rendering proper color.

 

[NVSrr1500]

Scenic express. Arizona rock and mineral. And other places have River rock blends

 

[bigfoot13]

You might consider ground walnut shells used for reptile cages. I got some from the Zilla brand and was able to stain it. Then you can change the colors to what you want. The images look pretty close to what it looks like already.

 

[Selector]

Most of us eventually settle on sifted garden soil, separated by different sizes of sieve screen. I use discarded pantyhose...works surprisingly well. Just ensure that your soil is good 'n dry before you sift it, and I would do it outdoors.