Plate 63:  Materials and tools used for ballasting track
(This plate added SEP 2003)

Four ballasting ingredients shown in this picture are, from left to right: (1)  Woodland Scenics fine gray ballast (stored in old coffee can) (2)  Woodland Scenics medium buff ballast (stored in old coffee can) (3)  Woodland Scenics medium dark brown ballast (stored in old shelled walnut can) --more--

(4)  Ballast glue mixture (stored in covered glass jam jar): two parts water, one part Elmer's Glue-all, 1/2 teaspoon Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent. The proportions of ingredients for the glue mixture are recommended by Woodland Scenics on the backs of the ballast package labels. Five ballasting tools shown in this picture are gathered at the left: (1)  Small plastic mixing cup (standing upright between the two left cans). Various colors of dry ballast are mixed and stirred in this little cup, which is then used to deposit the dry ballast mixture along the track (2)  Plastic spoon, used to stir and mix the different dry ballast ingredients in the little mixing cup (3)  A small paintbrush, used to shape, smooth, and distribute the dry ballast ingredients after they are deposited along the track (4)  A medicine dropper, used to flow the ballast glue mix smoothly into the ballast ingredients after the dry ingredients have been deposited along the track (5)  A track eraser. This is a model railroad item that is commonly used to clean foreign matter from the tops of track rails, so that the model locomotives can make good electrical contact with the rails. Go to top of page