Been slow progress after the wiring, just checking all the points and running at different speeds with different locos to check all is okay.

I have had a project on the back burner for a while now and finally got to spray some paint on it. I have 2 Atlas Masterline GP40-2 Ph II's one SSW 7645 and the other SSW 7655 both of which I have shown in weathered form in other threads. I have seen the "current", UP repainted version of SSW 7655 on the net and have wanted to change this old SSW to the more modern version... This is the origional Atlas that I weathered:

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But it looks just like my SSW 7645...so I found this:

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And this is the start...

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...still some work to do like add ditch lights (need to find some nice ones) and take the lights out above the cab but it's looking more like the real thing and oh so modern!!

Cool!! With the exception of the heritage paint schemes, that is the first U.P. repaint that I've seen that isn't Armour yellow & gray.

Here is a better image and one with the reporting marks, looks more 'finished':

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Managed to get so permanent roads and yard area done in styrene...these are now glued in place and is the first real thing to be done on the layout that hopefully won't need to be replace!

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I used LM's idea of RustOleum textured plastic spray paint and automotive primer and it worked very well...Thanks LM!! I had an unintended hishap when I was a being little rushed in putting the second coat on, ended up giving me a crackled finish that actually looks really good!! I wanted an old look to the yard so it was a blessing that it did this, won't try get it 'right' again though, the other roads need to be well maintained and look good!

SSWUPinSA Wrote:I had an unintended mishap when I was a being little rushed in putting the second coat on, ended up giving me a crackled finish that actually looks really good!!

Cal;

Accident or not, that cracked concrete looks great! You sure do a nice job on the roads, especially with the flange ways. Looks very realistic.

Keep up the good work!

Just had a few hours to put together the first permanent structure on the layout. Decided I would learn how to do it on Global Transload & Lumber as it is a building on the front side of the layout and I may decide to replace it at a later stage or take it away completely... Just the basic structure for now and a little ballast that I am trying, maybe the wrong colour though...

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Hey guys, neeed some help... Been looking high and low for ballast. Looking into Arizona Rock but it is a hastle to order and get it to South Africa. I managed to find a local supply of an agregate that is for HO and all natural... I feel it may be too dark though...and for this layout N scale will be better too as this HO is a bit big...

...or maybe you can tell me where ballast of this colour would be found in the US?

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If this is not right I am looking at going to a local soils testing laboratory where they can sieve out some gray aggregate closer to what I see here in South Africa and some places in the US... I really am not a fan of the light Florida ballast and the plain mid grey stuff...most prototypes do have a darker gray/brown look to them...

Tell me what you think

I agree with using n scale ballast. The stuff in the pic looks grapefruit size. I always go with finer coverings and work up.
As for color, maybe consider hitting it with some washes and or chalks.

It took me awhile to realize that the Picture of the Ballast was a model

I don't know of anywhere that would use ballast like that, however it makes GREAT gravel.

I've been following this thread for a while. I really like the modern equipment and buildings and you've made great progress so far. I hope to include some of the flavour of an ISL in my layout expansion if I can fit it in. Or I have to maybe consider building a separate shelf layout for our computer room! The shelf above our computer is looking a bit underused.

As for your ballast, to me some of the "grains" actually look too smooth and shiny (or is the shine from the camera flash or lighting?). I thought ballast is usually rough so that individual "grains" will lock together. The ballast I see in your closeup is more like river rock in texture or at least that's the way it seems to show up in the photos.

There is also a lot of colour variation (grays, browns, blacks, reds, etc). Washes might be able to take care of that.

I applaud though your determination in building this ISL in South Africa where some hobby supplies are harder to get. I'm sure you'll find some ballast that you'll like.

The gravel ballast certainly has a unique look. It would certainly make some nice river rock for a stream bed or river bank.

Thanks Marc, things are going slow for that exact reason, trying to get a real ballast locally but not having any joy...may have to try Arizona but thier website is very hard to understand. Maybe I an stupid...LOL

Gary the only rivers that I will have are the ones we having outside, flooding every onther week at the moment here in my town!!

Really hoping to get on with the ballasting and replacing the roads and paved ares with plaster, just looks more real that styrene....not sure, need to research a bit more before I decide...

Anyway here is a random pic from a scene I will have on the layout...:

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Hi Guys,

I've been a bit quiet my side, was battling with some time management and trying to find the right ballast and ground cover/gravel.... well... I think I have it close to what I want. I do not want the white/light grey found in Florida but rather something more Central USA... These are the trial sections...not sure if Matte Medium would look any better or be any worse in darkening the dry ballast....as always, let me know your thoughts:

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A overall view...

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Looks like a lot of quartz in there. I get that with the natural material I use. I'm thinking of washing it in a can first with some shade of grey. Try hitting that with thinned acrylics and chalks. Congrats on starting ballasting. Looks good.

Its not Quartz... Its Dolorite, common in South Africa and used in most concrete and road surfacing... It does not look so great in those photos, colour is darker in real life... Here are a couple more to judge on...

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