What size ballast?

[jomazz]

I've done numerous searches & I still can't find a definitive answer as to what size ballast to use on my layout. Some say fine others say medium. I've never done ballast before so, I need some advise.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I use a mostly fine with some medium thrown in so it doesn't all look the same. Sometimes I'll use fine talus for yard tracks and spurs.

 

[jbaakko]

I use a mix of Fine & medium for HO scale.

 

[CP9302]

I think fine looks best for HO scale. Woodland scenics medium ballast is about the size of your fist, which is too big for accurate ballast. Using medium will save you some money though.

 

[Maljunulo]

If you scale prototype ballast, it turns out that the fraction between 35 and 45 mesh sieves makes accurate (HO) scale ballast. I have no idea what mesh the various ballast vendors use, but that range will give you ballast which scales up to between slightly over an inch to two inches. That is what the standard calls for, and it is finer than what you see in most photos of model railroads. Some have ballast which scales up to the size of softballs and look horrible. I would err on the side of too fine, but avoid going too far, i.e sand.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

 

[jomazz]

Well ok, looks like it will be fine ballast. Thank you all for the great info.

 

[FunValleyLine]

I model in HO and I buy paver gravel at Lowes. I run it thru several sifters of different sizes. I use a large screen with about 1/2" holes and toss what that catches. I then have a pan with 1/4" holes, a cullender, a kitchen strainer, a tea strainer, a window screen and finally a pan screen that is very small i got at a yard sale.

My layout is 24x24 so I need alot of gravel and rocks. But the investment in tools is minimal and the materials are cheap. I think a 40 lb bag is like 5 bucks. I got the busted bags for 50 cents. I set it all up over a 5 gallon bucket of water and use a pond pump to wash thru the rocks.

Once sorted I end up with HO scale boulders, rock for slopes, ballast for track in 2 sizes and I use the sandy mix for making gravel roads.

It is a bit of work but one bag should do a good size layout and the price is right.

Good Luck and go smaller if possible it looks better

 

[OldGettysk]

Do you run a magnet through your paving stone ? Sometimes metal fragments will show up in it !

 

[FunValleyLine]

Never thought of using a magnet probably a good idea. I glue it all down and havent had a problem yet. I run a magnet car in front of my track cleaner so I think if it was loose it will pick it up. Thanks