Ballast

Black aquarium stone is a good option. If it is too shiny, rinse it in some india ink/alcohol mix.

Jeff,

I used this ballast (ground granite), with great success. Instead of buying their blend, I bought the white and black, and mixed my own to match what I wanted for the main line, which ended up being 4 parts white to 1 part black. I used the black by itself in some areas, and it looks good also. It costs around $12.50 for 5 lb, shipped. ($10 for the 5 lb of ballast, plus about 45¢/lb for shipping.)

Good luck.

Alex

Since Brennan's info have been posted above, may I recommend his book as well. It also explains how to achieve an aged look to the ballast. I did this with awesome results especially in my yard area.

Ingeniero No1 posted:

Jeff,

I used this ballast (ground granite), with great success. Instead of buying their blend, I bought the white and black, and mixed my own to match what I wanted for the main line, which ended up being 4 parts white to 1 part black. I used the black by itself in some areas, and it looks good also. It costs around $12.50 for 5 lb, shipped. ($10 for the 5 lb of ballast, plus about 45¢/lb for shipping.)

Good luck.

Alex

OK thanks for this lead.

Avanti posted:

Black aquarium stone is a good option. If it is too shiny, rinse it in some india ink/alcohol mix.

OK thanks for the suggestion

OK thanks!

If cost is a concern, I found this black sand at the dollar store.  If you don't want to watch the whole move, just start at 2:45.

My son just used it to make these real coal loads too.

Have Fun!

Ron

"Black Beauty" sand blast medium. Approx $35. for 50 lbs.

Trussman posted:

"Black Beauty" sand blast medium. Approx $35. for 50 lbs.

I hope it's the same as the locally available blasting medium called copper slag?  It has the color and fine particulate appearance of cinders.  I already saved a bundle making my own regular ballast from walnut shell medium and poster paint.

Bruce

brwebster posted:

Trussman posted:

"Black Beauty" sand blast medium. Approx $35. for 50 lbs.

I hope it's the same as the locally available blasting medium called copper slag?  It has the color and fine particulate appearance of cinders.  I already saved a bundle making my own regular ballast from walnut shell medium and poster paint.

Bruce

I'm not familiar with blasting medium called copper slag.

Black Beauty is a course black sand. I'm sure it comes it various grades of coarseness.

Here's a link to 50lbs on ebay. It definitely would be cheaper to purchase it at a hardware store instead of paying the shipping cost.

auction # 271955866565

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-...%26sd%3D271956709401

I just use play sand from lowes $3.25 a bag.  Buy a cheap thing of black acrylic paint from Michael's ($5-8) and mix the sand and paint as you go in a plastic cup from your local convenience store fountain.

  I personally have been using Burnt umber to get a reddish brown base and black to add the cinder layer on top.   $9-12 would easily do 250-300 feet of track and give you the Norm Charbanneau look.  He does the same thing - he uses play sand as his base with woodland Scenics Fine cinders.  WSFC are the same size as play sand. 

Ron045 posted:

If cost is a concern, I found this black sand at the dollar store.  If you don't want to watch the whole move, just start at 2:45.

My son just used it to make these real coal loads too.

Have Fun!

Ron

I have found the black sand from the dollar tree to be exactly what I wanted. I personally like the look. I have picked up about a dz. bags, and will be visiting a few more stores to get more product. Thanks again for your contribution; as I wish to thank all of you as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!