I've been relaying trackwork to change some turnout locations that were too difficult to reach.
Maybe someone will be interested in my method of ballasting track.
I use a dry mixture of 6:1; 5mm gravel:cement. It’s mixed dry but it helps if you just slightly wet the gravel before mixing – this help the cement powder adhere to each stone. I also add a bit of black oxide to add colour.
It's then placed along the OUTSIDE of the rails only, not between the rails.
I use a ???? brush to 'tamp' the mixture under the outer part of the sleepers.
Then a 'gentle' spray to just wet the surface, not enough to wash the cement dust off!. I use a soft drink bottle with lots of 1mm holes in the cap.
A couple of hours later I repeat the watering, then 24 hours later give it a good soak with a watering can.
Then I fill between the rails with loose gravel.
or see this video.....
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/ballast3.wmv < Link To http://www.members.optusn..om.au/satr/ballast3.wmv
The result is a firmly held track, which water can drain through, and I can use my leaf blower without blowing the ballast away.
I've used this for 4 years now and it showed it's worth when I ripped out the old track. I was able to break the ballast off the track. Some of the old ballast can even be reused. The larger pieces become landfill for the next project!
Maybe someone will be interested in my method of ballasting track.
I use a dry mixture of 6:1; 5mm gravel:cement. It’s mixed dry but it helps if you just slightly wet the gravel before mixing – this help the cement powder adhere to each stone. I also add a bit of black oxide to add colour.
It's then placed along the OUTSIDE of the rails only, not between the rails.
I use a ???? brush to 'tamp' the mixture under the outer part of the sleepers.
Then a 'gentle' spray to just wet the surface, not enough to wash the cement dust off!. I use a soft drink bottle with lots of 1mm holes in the cap.
A couple of hours later I repeat the watering, then 24 hours later give it a good soak with a watering can.
Then I fill between the rails with loose gravel.
or see this video.....
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/ballast3.wmv < Link To http://www.members.optusn..om.au/satr/ballast3.wmv
The result is a firmly held track, which water can drain through, and I can use my leaf blower without blowing the ballast away.
I've used this for 4 years now and it showed it's worth when I ripped out the old track. I was able to break the ballast off the track. Some of the old ballast can even be reused. The larger pieces become landfill for the next project!