Started Ballasting my Atlas O :-)

Very nice. I'm in debate over atlas or gar grave.  I have fast track now.  I'm looking to find which is less expensive. It seems atlas is.

Very nice, Paul.  Unable to tell from the pix:  did you use any roadbed under the track?

 

I also have Atlas; I ballasted mine with Brennan's ballast but did NOT use a roadbed.  I was very happy with the results.  I just had to be very careful around the switch throw bars - real easy for ballast to get wedged in there....

I also use Atlas track and switches. Switched about 3+ years ago. I have had really good luck with it, it seldom needs cleaning and  everything just works. It is also very quiet compared to the hollow rail and plastic roadbed track systems. I was set on Fastrack before switching to Atlas, I still like Fastrack, but it is a little too noisy for me.

 

Some folks here have really done a nice job weathering Atlas track as well. I don't remember any specific threads to link to or suggest a search on, but some that have been posted look great. There are some very talented folks here on the ORG forums.

Looks terrific Paul. I'm at about the same experimental stage you are with my SuperSnap track. Did you use a little larger ballast size along the edges or did it just look that way in the photo? I like the look.

Ed Kazarian

That is looking very good.  I personally love Atlas products...

Very nice - can you shoot some more pics from different angles (lower)?

Thanks

To answer some of the questions that where asked in the tread.

 

• Yes I have a roadbed under the Atlas track.
• I used two different ballast to create the effect I was looking for.  The first layer is real crushed granite that was purchased on ebay from Railroader ALs Model Railroad Store the second ballast which is on top of the larger crushed granite is Express Scale Ballast.  Both have several layers of flat black spray paint to darken.
• For the rail ties I used different chalk sticks to create the effect of weathered ties (Brown, Black, and White).  Basically take the sticks rub across the ties and brush it in to the ties.

 

 

Sorry for the blown highlight the picture was from my phone.

 

Thanks for the comments....

 

BTW - Now I have a question for you guys.  At the moment I've only glued down the ballast on the side of the track so it doesn't move.  I don't plan to glue down the ballast in-between the ties just in case I need to tear it out in the future.  Do you guys glue down the ballast in-between the ties?  When I did my test on ballasting I found it very difficult to tear the ballast out if I needed to make repairs or changes later.  What your view? 

Paul excellent. I noticed you ballasted under your switch, One word of caution be careful the ballast does not interfere with the moving parts on the switch tracks. look forward to progress photo's

Steve

Paul;

 

I didn't try the modified method; I just glued all of it.  May regret it, but it's done....

Thanks Steve, that was the other reason I didn't want to glue down the ballast in-between the ties.

Paul,

You have a great idea about using chaulk. I've read all the threads about ballasting with kitty litter, chicken grit, roofing granules, and commercial products. They all look fine to me. I've been experimenting with Chick Grit from Tractor Supply. It looks fine on an experimental section but is rather light in color. I took your idea of using chaulk and brushed some black chaulk into the ballast after it had been glued down. Much better color and can be darkened to suit one's taste. Terrific idea! Thank you!

 

Ed Kazarian

     Paul on the old layout I did not glue any of the ballast down. I think 3 times in 12 years I went around and filled in little areas where A little of the cork roadbed was showing. When taking it down I just vacuumed up the ballast with the shop vac and dumped it back in A bucket for reuse. Choo Choo Kenny

I think the GarGarves is cheaper now.  Atlas O cost seemed to went up as of March 1st. Did anyone else notice a price jump on Atlas O?

Paul:

 

     Great looking track work. Very realistic, too. Congratulations.

 

 

John Knapp

Erie, not Eerie

Looks great.

I always put a few drops of oil on all the moving parts of the turnouts. Keeps the glue from sticking to them, but if it does, it comes loose real easy. We glue all the ballast, everywhere on the layout.

If you need to remove track later, just soak it with water. Comes loose no problem.

Unfortunately I did notice the price increases.

 

I also agree that Gargraves would be less expensive than Atlas. Personally, I prefer the solid rail track.

Very nice job.

As long as you use regular white glue and water as your bonding agent, the ballast can be easily removed by re-wetting it with water.

 

Paul:  Nice job.  I am using a limestone fairly small, sifted for my trackside area but I am not anywhere near the ballasting stag.  But I share your taste in a darker gray look.  The ballast color in real life seems too light for my taste and that I think is because of the scale and lighting.  I experimented with a light grey wash on a painting sponge to color the small area I have been working on.  In my yard areas I used black sand and Woodland Scenics black ballast for the areas in between tracks.  Again, no ballasting in yards yet.  Hope to see more of your progress soon.

Paul - It's looking great so far.  Nothing quite like a well ballasted Atlas track in my opinion. 

 

Art

Thanks everyone on the comments.  Will keep you posted!!!

I agree....just my 2 cents as well...