From my newest bridge scratchbuild at <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3341&start=45">viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3341&start=45</a><!-- l -->

The question is: Do the bridge with spilled ballast as on the prototype, or do it with the ballast only between the wood ballast retainers? I can't decide, so would like to see what The Gauge et al has to say. For those who spoke up in the thread, please register your vote here. THANKS!!!!

Spilled on left, not spilled on right:





And the real thing:

While walkway number two is neater and shows off some of the effort put into building such a fine structure, I am going say, spill the ballast. If the prototype has it, then why shouldn't your model?

tetters Wrote:If the prototype has it, then why shouldn't your model?

The reason for not doing it would be that a visitor who is not familiar with the bridge might think that I did a lousy job on the ballast.... :?

Thanks for the thoughts, now VOTE!

Gary S Wrote:

tetters Wrote:If the prototype has it, then why shouldn't your model?

The reason for not doing it would be that a visitor who is not familiar with the bridge might think that I did a lousy job on the ballast.... :?

Thanks for the thoughts, now VOTE!

If anyone accused me of being lazy like that I'd keep a photo of the prototype handy and say, "nah, nah, nah, naaaaaaah!"

Tetters, keeping some proto photos is a great idea. I've actually been thinking that since I am going to model most of my structures after prototypes which exist around the south side of Houston, A photo album of the prototypes would be a nice addition for folks who visit my layout.

That is nasty, are they that lazy to not clean up ballast off a walkway? I haven't seen any like that around here

I say go for the clean look, you don't want your railroad to be sloppy do ya?

Real life is not always neat and clean ... especially these days!

Spill the wine, chase that girl ... or sumthin' like that!

Let the ballast fall where it may!

Personally, I think this is the kind of detail that makes a difference if your goal is to make an accurate representation of the real world. The only reason to leave a detail like this off is if you intend on creating an idealized world - where all the sidewalks are swept, all the houses have freshly painted siding, and the roads are freshly paved. But I also see your point - many of us like view the real world as ideal and try to ignore the blight, and such untidiness on a layout is pure sloppiness . My advice is to not worry what others think and make they type of layout that you want.

Gary S Wrote:Tetters, keeping some proto photos is a great idea. I've actually been thinking that since I am going to model most of my structures after prototypes which exist around the south side of Houston, A photo album of the prototypes would be a nice addition for folks who visit my layout.

Personally, I have also given thought to that. The way *I* would do it is to make 5"x7" photos of the aras represented and sandwhich them to teh facia under the scene with 1/8" thick plexiglass screwed in with brass screws.

nachoman Wrote: ... The only reason to leave a detail like this off is if you intend on creating an idealized world - where all the sidewalks are swept, all the houses have freshly painted siding, and the roads are freshly paved. But I also see your point - many of us like view the real world as ideal and try to ignore the blight, and such untidiness on a layout is pure sloppiness ...

If you want an "Idealized World" ... build a "Tin Plate Layout," where there are no weeds or trash, where every thing is fresh and clean and shiney ... and toy-like ... wait ...

... I think I'm gonna hurl!

I vote for not spilled. It simply looks better.

Appreciate all the comments and the votes so far. Keep them coming!

I can see both sides of the issue, and can't decide on which to do, which is the reason for the poll.

Off hand, I'd say that the intent is to not have ballast strewn about and that there's going to be a maintenance crew by shortly to clean up the mess. I opt that you keep it neat as intended, I think you'd feel better about it as well, then there's no explaining to do, nor having to produce a photo as proof that you are prototypical to the Nth degree...

Unless you are suspending the laws of gravity: Spill the Ballast!

Ballast rolls down hill. So you'd have to raise the walkways above the Bed of the Ballast to prevent spillage.

That's a good argument to spill it actually Tin Goat. Ballast rolls down hill. I imagine even if a MOW Crew was pouring some fresh ballast any excess by default would spill on to the walkway. Even if someone did come by to shovel it back onto the track, the resulting train activity would shake the bridge like a concrete vibrator and cause the ballast to settle and spill down onto the walk way. So even if the ballast were not on the walkway initially, I doubt it would stay clear of it for long.