Peco Plan 2: BR Branch Line - Ballasting

Time to start ballasting!

I start a bit last weekend with a the two sidings, trying out the DCC Concepts Legacy N gauge ballast to see how it looked. I did a bit using the light grey blend and adding in some dark grey blend at the ends of the sidings (where coal wagons etc would stand for long periods, and just general accumulation of dirt and less activity to remove it).

Next I'll show the process of how I ballast, using the runaround section in front of the station.

First step is to dish out some ballast in the area you want to work using a teaspoon or similar utensil. I then use a medium (4) brush and work the ballast into the area, tidying up the inevitable strays that accumulate.

The above shows the effect achieved, the with the shoulder to the left still to be done.

The above is after all the ballast has been laid dry, with a tiny bit of the dark grey blend in and around the magnet (assuming this is where steam locos may have stood for periods).

Finally, the above shows after applying the PVA mix. I use a small spray bottle with water first to wet the ballast (from a suitable distance to avoid disturbing it too much!), and then I apply a 50/50 mix of PVA and water with a drop of washing up liquid using a large syringe. Then leave for 24-48 hours to set. 

The final task before trains can run again is to hoover up any loose bits, or apply more ballast if there are gaps where it's missing, and then clean the rail tops which would've been covered in some of the PVA mix.

I'm hoping this weekend I can get the rest of the layout done, or at least all the sections of track between points which take a bit more patience to ensure no ballast gets between the mechanism.