Laying ballast ...

One of the trials and tribulations of a garden railway, or enjoyment if you prefer, is the laying of track ballast. As previously mentioned on here this has been an issue that has entailed considerable research, especially for 'us' 16mm novices. But according to my Senior Director - "it needs ballast"!!!

'Swift Sixteen' was the supplier, providing good quality ballast to scale and having spoken with Nicki at SLR Models I opted for the SBR 'compound' and water method - oh and a small amount of quick drying cement powder mixed in with the dry ballast before laying. (not sure if that part actually made a difference).

Having carried a few experimental moves with this method I decided on the good old Fire Brigade adage of 'JFDI' - and got on with it!

Picking a nice sunny day I started by 'dribbling' on the solution using a fine squeezy bottle, trying to ensure I avoided getting the adhesive on the sleepers and more importantly the lines. As I found out when carrying out the tests - not a good result just to spray it everywhere.

It was then a case of using a small stencil type brush to spread the liquid over the felt base and then sprinkle the chipping over the liquid. Another brush to tidy up and ensure no chipping adhering in particular to the inside of the track, I then dribbled adhesive over the top of the loose ballast - similarly as before.
It was then apply some water using a garden mist spray directly down onto the track to avoid 'blowing' ballast away. The water and adhesive then mix and successfully (for now anyway) secured the ballast in place!!

Adhesive solution in place...

... ballast now secure!

A laborious process as it took me about 45 minutes to do one meter  - only another 29 to go! Quite satisfying however because it looks more realistic and actually blends in well with the garden and of course the Senior Director is most impressed! (Lots of Brownie/ Cub points there then!!!).