Ballasting Fastrack

I've seen pictures of it done, though I've not personally done it.  I'm not sure how you'd do between the rails and keep the ties visible, they have very little relief.

From my Blog site:

http://railfanx.blogspot.com/2...ore-branch-line.html
http://railfanx.blogspot.com/2.../scenery-update.html

I used Woodland Scenics medium gray ballast. I felt that it was about the same size as the molded in "ballast". Brush undiluted white glue onto the plastic shoulder. I don't do the top. It's too difficult to get between the ties and there isn't much benefit IMHO. Once in place I use rubbing alcohol to break the surface tension, then a Matte medium or white glue and water mixture to lock it in place. It is still 3 rail Fastrack, but it breaks up the plastic roadbed look. That's about all I care to do. Looks better with minimal effort.

As johnny said, a little along the edges is all you need to make a big difference.

I apply full-strength white glue to the edges with a small brush, sprinkle on the ballast, and vacuum the excess after the glue is dry. This also locks the track in position very securely.

Jim

Applied the same way  as above. Eventually I want to paint/weather the rails and I want to try adding some rust/ weathering to the plastic roadbed between the ties to tone it down. The ballast between prototype track rails is usually dingy from the rust coming off the rails and wheels.

Yes it can be done. One pic is the what was used as a model.

Ray Marion

I plan to do mine.  I regret using fastrack because I want a 3 rail scale look, but Rays track looks great ad would fit in with any 3 rail scale layout!

I used woodland scenics coarse and mixed 1 part light grey ballast to 3 parts grey ballast.

 They sell a grey blend, but its more of a 50/50 mixture. I felt the grey ballast alone was a bit too dark of a contrast to the grey plastic roadbed, so I mixed the light grey in to lighten up the overall appearance. It also seemed to make the ballast "pop", with the contrasting colors.

I did some of the edges when I had Fastrack (since replaced) and it helped some.  What helped more to get rid of the "store-bought plastic" look was to wash the entire ballast with a "dirty" wash - say two thirds thinner and one part dark brown, then paint the ties with a flat, creosote (black-brown) paint.  Tedious, but it really changed the appearance to much more realistic.

I must say that looks really good guys. I have never really looked at Fast track once ballasted, but it comes out looking very nice.  Great work.

Chris