COMME-N-TARY: Ballasting a Four-Track Mainline
Applying cinders and granite to Pennsy’s Great Broad Way! About our N-scale columnist
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Tips and techniques for creating a smooth running and great looking mainline in N scale. Four tracks are optional!
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Preparations A key element of smooth railroading is to make absolutely sure that the trackwork is in good shape before applying any ballast. The best way to do that, of course, is to run trains. After all, that is what we are about:
long trains, short trains, heavy trains, light trains, helpers (snappers on the PRR) if you plan to use them, passenger trains, the largest and longest cars you plan on operating. Be sure to run in both directions, across all turnout positions; over and over until every train runs without a hiccup. Make sure all feeders as well as any additional wiring for signals, detection or other operations are wired and functional. Then take a long look
allasting a four-track mainline is much like ballasting a singletrack mainline, except that you use a lot more ballast! The key in both instances is to progress slowly and carefully and to not expect to get it all done in one “go.” On the prototype, ballast provides support and stability for passing trains, allows for prompt drainage, inhibits vegetation growth, and makes for efficient maintenance. Common ballast materials include quartz, granite, or limestone. The material can be a foot or more deep under the track itself, level with the tops of the ties, and sloping down several feet or more to the sides of the rails. On our models, ballast enhances the realism of the right of way, and can
Page 103 • Issue 11-08 • Aug 2011 • Comme-N-tary, page 1
be combined with proper drainage ditches, sub-roadbed, wayside structures, and other materials that make our railroad look like it is working for a living!
Figure 1: The first step in the ballasting process is to make sure trackwork is smooth, functional, and cleaned up from the construction process.
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