KITTY LITTER AS BALLAST??

Try Arm & Hammer multi-cat Slide litter.  Color and texture are perfect and no dust.

I use "no frills" kitty litter purchased many years ago - no scents  added, a little larger particles than current kitty litter offerings.

No dust from the one I used, I do wipe the rails after ballasting, however

I DO NOT own a cat! Fair warning, if you do, you may want to try something else for ballast. LOL

When I first started I looked at Kitty Litter as ballast because the "real" model ballast I bought looked and felt exactly like cat litter.  Having said that, I have not seen the brand/make of cat litter that matched the "real" ballast in a while.

Kitty Litter will work and yeah, if you are doing a scale layout with expensive scale engines and the like, it to me would make sense using scale ballast like Dennis' or woodland scenics (and I likely will use commercial ballast). 

I worked with it on a prior layout and it worked well. My basement at the time was pretty humid and dank, but didn't see an effect on the track. The white glue and water mixture held it well, kind of sealed it. I didn't have problems with dust, and we had cats and they ignored it (this was plain old clay litter, no scent, just basic litter).

One thing to keep in mind, not everyone in this hobby is buying 1500 or 2000 buck engines, they may have tinplate track, may be running more modest equipment, and the difference between kitty litter and commercial ballast might mean a lot to them. I don't know if I'll ever spend 1500 on an engine, I am fortunate I can afford it, and I prob will use commercial ballast because I am trying to make a more realistic appearing layout, I have ross track and switches and that wasn't cheap. But I also have been in the mode where I really had to scrounge, where I just didn't have the money, and kitty litter worked great.

All kitty litter ballast on my pike. It sealed well and is easy to work with.  I wouldn’t hesitate to use it again -

Doesn't dust or particles get picked up by lube or oil?  Obviously that's not a great concern to many, so my next question is how do you seal it?  And sealed ballast is for permanent layouts only, correct?  Just full of questions today - but I really like the idea of using ballast and I don't want to ruin anything.

@Chuck242 posted:

Doesn't dust or particles get picked up by lube or oil?  Obviously that's not a great concern to many, so my next question is how do you seal it?  And sealed ballast is for permanent layouts only, correct?  Just full of questions today - but I really like the idea of using ballast and I don't want to ruin anything.

For me it attracts no more dust than anything else on the layout. Oil and lube have not been a problem as well.  I sealed it with a light elmers glue/water and a few drops drop of dishwashing soap solution.  It seals nice but is really easy to tear up when I needed to install or re arrange switches. Moreover, since I have a big 5 pound bucket that I paid almost nothing for over 10 years ago, I have no trepidation doing that and throwing out the old, sealed remains. I've used it to cover the plastic MTH Real Trax as well as on Lionel 3 rail and Kline shadow rail, all with good results.  Good luck!

@Chuck242 posted:

Doesn't dust or particles get picked up by lube or oil?  Obviously that's not a great concern to many, so my next question is how do you seal it?  And sealed ballast is for permanent layouts only, correct?  Just full of questions today - but I really like the idea of using ballast and I don't want to ruin anything.

As I stated in my earlier post, no dust issues with whatever the brand was that I used. I don't seal it. Never had oil or lube pick it up. About 20 year's usage.

That said, I don't use a lot of it, I don't groom it like those do on a scale layout. Basically, it fills in between added tinplate track ties with spillout on the outsides of the rails. See the pic below.

Lots of favorable comments on using kitty litter. I haven’t gone back on all posts to this topic, so apologies if this was mentioned already - Why not go with a proven ballast product and an OGR advertiser - Brennans Better Ballast? I did and could not have been happier. There is a difference in price, but IMO you get what you pay for. Attached are pics of how it looks on my tubular track (with added ties from 3R plastics.

Had cats for many years and kitty litter was the worst part of having a cat. The dust varies per brand but is nearly microscopic. Might not be something that will gunk up your motive power and rolling stock. Usually odorless, but that’s also a variable per brand.

FWIW - 20# of Brennans nicely covered my 120’ of track for about $63 which included shipping.

@jps32016 posted:

Try Arm & Hammer multi-cat Slide litter.  Color and texture are perfect and no dust.

You are the only one since 2014 that actual gave a name.  Looked it up and they say Fresh Home or Light Scent, so these are not unscented. Is the scent noticeable?  Thanks.

We used kitty litter on my only "scale" layout.We did pick out a type that had the right size and color.No dust and it looked great..Had no problems at all.Our layout now is a more toy train style,which reminds me more of having fun with them as we did many years ago..

Not sure if it was mentioned previously, but oil dry is similar to kitty litter and can also be used and readily available at auto supply stores.

One other option is to mix the cheap with the costly, i.e., the kitty litter/oil dry with real ballast. That way you save a little money but have something perhaps a little more realistic.

Chicken grit is what I’m going to try next. Get the stuff for the chicks though, it’s smaller.

John, the extra ties and ballast really tune up the tubular track. Looks great.

Arm & Hammer clump and seal slide.  Multi-cat 100% dust free.  I got a 14 lb. Box at Walmart for $11.  There are larger sizes. I chose it by going online to check litter colors.  My main layout I donated and rebuilt for a museum (pictures at strasburgmuseum. org).  Originally built in the 80s with Gargraves.  I came into a cache of prewar 072 track and switches and put it in the only available space I had at home now, the concrete floor of my workshop and laundry room.  I bring my stuff home and use it there in the off season.  I went all out trying to get a degree of realism with tubular track.  Bought 1000 commercial ties, made some more, and painted the rails, including a phantom center rail, even the switches.  This litter is amazingly close to real ballast.  It's just brushed on loose.

@romiller49 posted:

John, the extra ties and ballast really tune up the tubular track. Looks great.

I'm not sure which John you were referring to Rod - both John EK and I posted pics. His looks like O gauge tubular , mine is  O27 height with O42, O54 and O72 curves. Switches are Lionel O42

In my case I made (over many years and expansions) over 1,900 ties from balsa and painted them brown to match the existing metal track ties. For this height track 3/16 thick x 1/2 inch wide balsa works perfectly*

*Am I the only one who found that, over the last 1-2 years, selection of balsa at hobby shops, Hobby Lobby and Michaels is very sparce? I have not been able to find the thickness I use in over a year - anyplace! Racks are empty for the most part. I'll keep looking as I like to have an inventory of such things on hand.

You're not the only one John.  I too have found the selection of small dimension wood to be less than usual.  I typically shop at the big-box home improvement stores, smaller hardware stores, and Michael's.  The supply of acrylic paints was also slim pickings last year but seems to have improved this year.  Let's blame it on the supply chain.

John

About 70% of my layout is ballasted with kitty litter.    It has worked out very well in my opinion.   My layout is scale and has scale locos.   I still have not paid 1500 for one however.    Most are USHobbies for the steamers.

When I was building and scenicking, we had a cat.    The cat and I shared bags of kitty litter and we were both happy with it!     At the time I ran out of the gray rock ballast I was using and was looking for something.    I noticed the kitty litter was the same color for the most part.    At the time Krogers sold a version of kitty litter with no chemicals, perfumes, perservatives etc.   It was just plain old chunks of clay.

I made a sifter using window screen.     When we got a bag of kitty litter, I would sift it to get the small pieces.   Out of a 25 pound bag, which cost 3 dollars at the time, I would get 2-3 3 lb coffee cans of ballast all very uniform and the same size pretty much as the commercial I had been  using.    the cat got the rest of the bag.

It was just gray clay.     It was different to work with than rocks.   When it gets wet, it becomes somewhat soft and mushy.    So I learned not to mess with it once I wet it down and put white glue on it.  

@Richizzle07 posted:

Chicken grit is what I’m going to try next. Get the stuff for the chicks though, it’s smaller.

This module was ballasted with chicken grit.  The track was taped off and the ballast sealed with 50/50 mix of water and Elmer's white glue. I took it to several shows and the ballast was nearly indestructible.

@jhz563 posted:

This module was ballasted with chicken grit.  The track was taped off and the ballast sealed with 50/50 mix of water and Elmer's white glue. I took it to several shows and the ballast was nearly indestructible.

That looks great! Thanks for the photos! I’m still in the construction/planning process but  have atleast narrowed it down to the chicken grit for ballast. Mine will be with tubular black tie track and tubular brown tie track on 3 separate lines. I’ll also be adding the extra ties like others have suggested while mixing some black coal spills along the coal line. Just received my foam roadbed from Sparks00033 yesterday.

I just found this very interesting thread and read the whole thing so will now offer two photos; this one was done with cat litter many years ago, probably more than forty (and no, cat litter does NOT cause locomotives to shrink ):

And this was done with aquarium gravel, I believe (as at the time I did not know about chicken grit):

A comment on the appearance of cat litter, aquarium gravel, roofing granules, etc; as long as you have that rail up the middle, just what difference does it make what you use?

Richizzle what brand of chicken grit is that?  Excellent look.  In my case of what most likely is a temporary basement floor layout I used A & H litter brushed loosely into place which can easily be taken up.  For a permanent layout it should work as a fill base with WS coarse or grit on top. 

For the DIY craftsman, you can replicate the commercial lightweight stuff by stealing their formula.  Inexpensive Walnut shell blasting media is sized right for O ballast.  I used the cheapest black and white water based poster paints to tint as desired.  Generally, you'll use more white than black.  Thinning the paint slightly will allow some the natural brown to show through if that suits your tastes.  I made batches up on sunny, warm days and thinly spread the thoroughly mixed concoction outside on plastic vapor barrier to dry.  Fold up the dried mixture within the plastic, lay a small piece of 2X4 on top and beat mercilessly, periodically sifting out the individual particles then repeat.  Let the finished product dry a second time before storing and the granules will remain separated.  I have 10 quarts of my home brew at the ready for about the cost of one shaker of the name brand....and tons of raw walnut shell left over for future mixes.

Bruce

I cannot say with certainty, but I believe the ballast on this hand laid two rail track I was gifted is kitty litter.  I think it looks very good with the track.  Perhaps my only complaint is that it is too consistent.  When I used to walk the NY&LB after high school nearly every day there was more color variation.  I live in a dry climate so I'm not concerned about moisture in the least.

@Lionelski posted:

I'm not sure which John you were referring to Rod - both John EK and I posted pics. His looks like O gauge tubular , mine is  O27 height with O42, O54 and O72 curves. Switches are Lionel O42

John, both are terrific so I’ll compliment both of you. There’s something about tubular track with extra ties and ballast that I truly enjoy.

@jps32016 posted:

Richizzle what brand of chicken grit is that?  Excellent look.  In my case of what most likely is a temporary basement floor layout I used A & H litter brushed loosely into place which can easily be taken up.  For a permanent layout it should work as a fill base with WS coarse or grit on top.

I’m not sure, that’s Jhz563’s photos. I was told to get the chicken grit for the baby chicks though since it’s a little smaller. I still need to head to Tractor Supply to figure out which looks the best. Agreed though about it looking excellent. Very price friendly too. I was considering roofing granules but I’m trying to stay budget friendly where possible with this layout build. I have 2 cats and a dog so I’m going to avoid the kitty litter. Don’t need King Kong Kitty’s on the layout! LoL

I got mine from an Agway a long time ago.  They actually use the stuff as a traction aid for winter driving conditions as well as for chickens.   Its generally whatever stone is native to the area crushed to a given screen size and bagged.  I would have plenty more but I stored the bags outside and the bag material disintegrated from the weather before I moved.  Was inexpensive and not bad to work with.   I  shaped it with a disposable paint brush before applying the glue/water mix.  All techniques I learned about here on the ogr forum.

@jhz563 posted:

I got mine from an Agway a long time ago.  They actually use the stuff as a traction aid for winter driving conditions as well as for chickens.   Its generally whatever stone is native to the area crushed to a given screen size and bagged.  I would have plenty more but I stored the bags outside and the bag material disintegrated from the weather before I moved.  Was inexpensive and not bad to work with.   I  shaped it with a disposable paint brush before applying the glue/water mix.  All techniques I learned about here on the ogr forum.

Come to think of it, I actually got this recommendation about a month ago from one of your posts after researching several threads regarding this topic. Thanks for the advice!

I used a 50-50 combination black roofing granules and crushed walnut shells. The walnut shells are very lightweight, cheap and there is no dust. A lot of the tracks by me have a brownish colored ballast so it fits.

Downside is the walnut shells don’t glue very well. So for the most part I just don’t glue them.

I purchased them at Pet Smart. It’s for terrariums. Sand blast media will do the same. If I find a bunch of lizards on the layout I’ll let you know. 🦎

Grabbed some  photos of my layout, that were on my laptop desk top, in which it shows my layout, using aquarium gravel.

@PRRMP54 posted:

A comment on the appearance of cat litter, aquarium gravel, roofing granules, etc; as long as you have that rail up the middle, just what difference does it make what you use?

@PRRMP54, my sincere apologies in advance if your comment was intended to be facetious and I haven't taken it with the jest that was intended.

If you really meant for it to be taken seriously then what you say is quite literally true, but largely irrelevant to most of us.  Most importantly, in spite of your best intentions, it won't change our minds one iota about how we pursue the hobby.

Mike

I am using aquarium gravel at the club. It's pretty cheap as well.

Scott Smith

What a wealth of ideas on this thread!  Okay here's a view of the 042 yard on my basement floor I mentioned earlier.  The mainline is 072 and 711 switches.  Ballast is Arm & Hammer Slide.  Ballast stone averages about 1-1/2" which is 1/32" in 0 scale, and this stuff matches pretty closely.  This is a semi- permanent layout at best, and all of it lies in walking areas, most wiring covered by sheets of cardboard except in the yard.  What, no scenery you say?  Of course there is.  Here the slow freight winds its way through the Pole Region and around Mt. Washing Machine.  Altoona may have its Horseshoe Curve but on the other end I have my famous two track Power Saw Curve!  Ties are placed with just a dab of white glue so they'll come up easy when the time comes, and the ballast is loosely brushed in place, and green sawdust over the wires.  It'll have to do for now.

@jps32016 posted:

What a wealth of ideas on this thread!  Okay here's a view of the 042 yard on my basement floor I mentioned earlier.  The mainline is 072 and 711 switches.  Ballast is Arm & Hammer Slide.  Ballast stone averages about 1-1/2" which is 1/32" in 0 scale, and this stuff matches pretty closely.  This is a semi- permanent layout at best, and all of it lies in walking areas, most wiring covered by sheets of cardboard except in the yard.  What, no scenery you say?  Of course there is.  Here the slow freight winds its way through the Pole Region and around Mt. Washing Machine.  Altoona may have its Horseshoe Curve but on the other end I have my famous two track Power Saw Curve!  Ties are placed with just a dab of white glue so they'll come up easy when the time comes, and the ballast is loosely brushed in place, and green sawdust over the wires.  It'll have to do for now.

Mount Washing Machine, Power Saw Curve…. This made my evening, thanks!!

CA John wrote “I too have found the selection of small dimension wood to be less than usual.”

FWIW I just got a trunkful at Menards, not sure if there is one near you but I was pleased with the selection.

Re ballast I’ll use the kitty litter I have left from the last layout. For me I like the look but I’m pretty sure it’s not scale.

Enjoy your empires my friends

Steven T