02-04-2014, 12:38 PM
Hi Jonte,
Thanks for the comments. The effect you see on the track is a byproduct of the ballast I've used. In particular the most forward track is ballasted with grey ballast to simulate a newer roadbed and different ballast from a different region was used, compared to the background tracks which contain more of a brown and sand colour mix.
The foreground track was ballasted using gravel from a pet shop. (Pets at Home in the UK). It is grey gravel that is commonly used as ground cover for vivariums that house reptiles. It comes in 5kg bags and is much cheaper than specialist ballast.
The bags do contain a little dust, and that's probably what made the ties etc appear lighter, a not unwelcome effect and tones down any remaining plastic shine there might be.It is available normally in a few colours, sand, grey and a 'blueish' tone.
As this is a natural stone product it is important to glue it down well and vacuum the area, to prevent any of it being eaten up by your locomotive gears. An extra layer of dilluted white pva glue is therefore no luxury.
you could probably find similar materials for fish tanks, but look for the finest grade you can find. If it looks too fine in the shop , it is probably just right (aside from real fine sand that is).
The grass here is static grass, Noch wild grass number 07071 , over which I sprinkled a few pinches of a darker woodland scenics fine turf (forgot the colour, but it's a darker green , nothing too bright) to simulate some weeds in there. The Static grass is applied with a home made applicator, consisting of an electric fly swatter and a tea strainer.. less than 10 pounds together. (see this thread: <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6258&p=127001&hilit=static+grass+applicator#p127001">viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6258&p=127001&hilit=static+grass+applicator#p127001</a><!-- l -->)
Koos
Thanks for the comments. The effect you see on the track is a byproduct of the ballast I've used. In particular the most forward track is ballasted with grey ballast to simulate a newer roadbed and different ballast from a different region was used, compared to the background tracks which contain more of a brown and sand colour mix.
The foreground track was ballasted using gravel from a pet shop. (Pets at Home in the UK). It is grey gravel that is commonly used as ground cover for vivariums that house reptiles. It comes in 5kg bags and is much cheaper than specialist ballast.
The bags do contain a little dust, and that's probably what made the ties etc appear lighter, a not unwelcome effect and tones down any remaining plastic shine there might be.It is available normally in a few colours, sand, grey and a 'blueish' tone.
As this is a natural stone product it is important to glue it down well and vacuum the area, to prevent any of it being eaten up by your locomotive gears. An extra layer of dilluted white pva glue is therefore no luxury.
you could probably find similar materials for fish tanks, but look for the finest grade you can find. If it looks too fine in the shop , it is probably just right (aside from real fine sand that is).
The grass here is static grass, Noch wild grass number 07071 , over which I sprinkled a few pinches of a darker woodland scenics fine turf (forgot the colour, but it's a darker green , nothing too bright) to simulate some weeds in there. The Static grass is applied with a home made applicator, consisting of an electric fly swatter and a tea strainer.. less than 10 pounds together. (see this thread: <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6258&p=127001&hilit=static+grass+applicator#p127001">viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6258&p=127001&hilit=static+grass+applicator#p127001</a><!-- l -->)
Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->