Ground Cover Ideas for Switching Yard

Ideas here - http://sirt.kodakgallery.com/g...85113#p/855022852113

Emails answered all the questions.
Use a mix of Woodlandscenics.

Depends on era location and type of "switching yard". The modern era yards that are modeled here are mostly cinders/ asphalt with spurs of earth track
Scenic Express fine #50 and #30. Also use their #50 dirt.
Woodland scencics fine
Yard lead is ballasted like main, some is mixed along edges of service road.
The service road is mostly fine cinders. Loose one track with service road.

In run 255 (current issue) is Coal switching yard in Steam era with ballasting technique by one of our forum members.

So it depends on what and where for color and look

Bill D

As others have said, it depends on the "look" you want.

I used real dirt with a hint of green for some vegetation when I thought my yard would be in a rural environment:




But as the city grew up around it, I decided it needed a grittier look. I just painted over everything with flat black latex paint to get more of a dirty, black earth/cinders look. I left a few extra hardy weeds in place.






Jim

My Yard Ballast is a mixture of dark gray granite that looks great for yards and industrial sidings.

Dennis Brennan
Brennan's Model Railroading
816-252-4605

Looks good, Pete.

I'm going to have to try that stuff.

Jim

Pete, do you apply Tube Sand the same way as any other ground cover?

Jerrman

quote:

Originally posted by Jerrman:
Pete, do you apply Tube Sand the same way as any other ground cover?

Jerrman

yeah. On horizontal surfaces I usually sprinkle it on dry, mist with wet water, and then drip on dilute white glue. (Unlike a lot of the superstitions of this hobby, wet water really is important.)

For vertical faces, I cycle through all the usual sticky choices. Never have found one I really like.

Pete,

I love the look you get with that tube sand.
Gotta try that !!

Eliot

All, this is some really good information. I really appreciate the support. By the way, where can I get one of those ballast spreader devices that works for Gargraves tracks. I saw a youtube video on one that does a good job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIBlFJK3gnI