How to buy ballast?

Mobi

Mobi

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What exactly I say in shops to buy ballast to lay under tracks?

How much do I need? Like x kg per foot of track like that....
 
You need to go to a Garden Centre and get some 3-5 mm sharp shingle for out-door use? Or a similar gravel which you might like.

I'd start with a small 10-15kg bag and see how it goes for your track. You can then work out how much you need to top up.

As I mentioned earlier in your other post, you could mix it with mortar/cement to prevent the ballast blowing away.

Some folk here use other material for ballast. I've seen slate on a couple of railways on the forum which looks nice if not prototypical....
 
It depends on how much you want and what it looks like, most builders merchants and garden centres sell various types of crushed stone or gravels, my preference when I built my last outside line was the small crushed grey granite that builders merchants sell for roofing as the sharp edges and dust help it stick together and hold the track, it also looks more realistic than round gravel. When you can get varies on where you are in the country. If you go at a quiet time most builders merchant yard men will be happy to show you what the various grades of crushed stone and gravel they have in stock looks like.
 
I use horticultural grit. The layout is 40m double track with a 'fan' of sidings all on decking board. Initiially, I laid 1/4ton and topping-up over 6yrs has used around the same amount. It's a puzzle where it all goes.
 
Take a small magnet with you to test the gravel. Helped build a layout , and the gravel we used was attracted to the magnet we found out later. It created a high resistance short between the rails when it got wet!
The power supply detected this resistance and wouldn't work for weeks after a rain. The owner finally had to convert to on- board battery power to be able to run his railway.

Charles M
 
Charles M said:
Take a small magnet with you to test the gravel. Helped build a layout , and the gravel we used was attracted to the magnet we found out later. It created a high resistance short between the rails when it got wet!
The power supply detected this resistance and wouldn't work for weeks after a rain. The owner finally had to convert to on- board battery power to be able to run his railway.
Charles M
Click to expand...

That's an interesting point about magnetic stone - never considered that - but I always wondered what effect wet ballast, above the ties, would have as a means of short-circuiting the rails.

I use horticultural grit too but you need to "contain" it - some large gravel outside the ballasted area - I found that heavy rain washes it away if it isn't held in place.
 
Horticultural grit/Granite chippings. Most garden centres have it in 20 kg bags at around £3-£5 a go. Some aggregates suppliers have it too, better price. Regular "Pea Shingle" gravel not advised, does not "lock" properly into sleepers.

Dig a small trench, 3" x 6" and line with black polythene sheet to block weed growth. Fill with crushed stone and or all/top up with horticultural grit to ballast track. Use lawn edging, plastic or metal to ensure minimal loss of ballast over time. Don't try to top up with horticultural grit over gravel, it'll just sink through it eventually. Lay track on top, check its level, then pin track at around 3 foot intervals with 5-6 inch nails.

Be prepared in future to keep points and check rails free of any stray grit. Top up as required, just like they do on the big railway :bigsmile:
Max.
 
KeithT, re your wondering where all the Ballast goes . If it is small enough, Pigeons use it for their crops.
JonD
 
Doesn't using polythene sheeting to line the trench mean that when it rains the water is held in the trench because it can't train away. Black weed matting allows drainage.
 
I used 6mm granite chippings, which works like the real thing and they lock together and hold the track in place. I have had no slippage at all and also no problem with electrical current in wet and damp conditions. It is relatively cheap as it comes in large bags. I obtained mine from http://www.stonewarehouse.co.uk/chippings-gravel/red-granite-6mm < Link To http://www.stonewarehouse...gravel/red-granite-6mm

68fdb19e6f9445ae904554a73e2da9b5.jpg
 
As my line is on a 1 in 25 incline I've never had the problems. As Ross says you could spike the polythene or buy the more expensive woven stuff.
Max.
 
dunnyrail said:
KeithT, re your wondering where all the Ballast goes . If it is small enough, Pigeons use it for their crops.
JonD
Click to expand...
Jon
I have kept an eye on the woodpigeons, we have large numbers but they are not responsible. If they had taken the amount that has gone they would all need JATO! :bigsmile:
 
Mobi said:
Which of these you recommend?

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wc...201&langId=110&searchTerms=Ballast&authToken= < Link To http://www.homebase.co.uk...rms=Ballast&authToken=

I don't know what grade means.
Click to expand...

Go for the smallest grade that they do.

Really, it's got to look right to your eye. Take a length of track and see how it looks against the gravel or ballast. Whatever you do, don't buy round pea shingle!

I've suggested this before, but try and contact a forum member close to where you live, go and visit them, ask questions and get an idea where, or what you want to do. If you put your town in your location, you will probably get an invite to go to other garden railways in your area....
 
Don't forget that 25Kg doesn't go that far.......
 
playmofire said:
Doesn't using polythene sheeting to line the trench mean that when it rains the water is held in the trench because it can't train away. Black weed matting allows drainage.
Click to expand...

I would second that. Don't cut corners with the weed barrier though - I have had to re-lay everywhere this year, because I originally used cheap and nasty DIY store barrier, which rotted away in places and let tiny weeds through. This time I replaced with a double layer of quality non-woven material (I checked out a couple of forums for professional landscape gardeners to see what they used), which drains well, keeps the ballast in trim (garden centre grit) and looks as though it will protect from weeds for ages.
 
Went to my nearest Homebase and discovered that their minimum size is 10 mm. This looked too big so I guess I really need 6 mm or smaller.

Do Travis Perkins sell to retail customer? From their website it seems they only cater for business customers.
 
Do a search (using your favourite internet search engine) for "granite 6mm to dust"
There are plenty of suppliers - but not knowing where in the country you are can I suggest a supplier local to you.

Note:- I refuse to use the term "google" as an adjective :@:o::o:
 
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