“The roadbed deserves just as much attention as a well-painted car or locomotive, so it is worth taking some time here.” ballast just where you want it to go, and nowhere else. We want it to cover between the ties (fully on a main line, less elsewhere). The ballast should cover the sides of the ties, all the way to the edge, and slope gently down to the sub-roadbed. There are a number of ways to get the ballast down in just the right spots – a folded 3 x 5 card, a variety
of commercial applicators, or a small paint bottle. In any case, the first step is to spread ballast along the mainline in a neat, manageable pile between the ties. Next is to use a small stiff paintbrush, soft sponges, fingers, or other tools to spread the ballast across the ties. The roadbed deserves just as much attention as a well-painted car or locomotive, so it is worth taking some time here. Use the brush or other applicator to brush the ballast material off the tops of the ties and the sides of the rails. On the PRR, our track gang worked on two or three tracks at a time, in two- to three-foot lengths. Once you have ballast spread
Figure 10: An spraying with “wet water” helps ensure the glue thoroughly permeates the ballast.
Page 107 • Issue 11-08 • Aug 2011 • Comme-N-tary, page 5
along and between the tracks, it is time to step back and take a look from several different angles.
Applying Glue When you are satisfied with the application, it is time to glue the ballast in place (without disturbing your careful work). The model PRR uses diluted white glue, applied with an eyedropper or small bottle. First, however, the material needs to be thoroughly wetted to ensure the glue spreads throughout the ballast. The secret to ensuring a good soaking is to add a drop of dishwashing detergent to the water, creating what is commonly called “wet water”. An
alternative is denatured alcohol, which also has the low surface tension that allows the wet water to spread out. Be sure to use this in a well-ventilated area. Apply until the ballast surface appears moist. Now that the material is thoroughly wet, the diluted white glue (about 50-50 glue-to-water, also with a drop of detergent to help it flow) can be (gently) applied to the ballast. Drip a small drop of glue every inch or so along the track, enough that the white color spreads to cover all the applied material. The glue will quickly settle into the ballast and the white color will disappear. Now, find another project that will keep you
Figure 11: A toothpick helps remove ballast that has strayed to the sides of the rails without harming the paint underneath. A wooden golf tee can be used for the same purpose.
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