Yard Ballast

Once the track was laid I sprayed it "Sleeper Grime". Howes of Oxford (UK) do this in a handy spray can. In Springfield Yard I ballasted the track using Woodland Scenics Cinders (thanks Alan!). This was laid using the usual method of diluted PVA glue.

Between the tracks I wanted a finer material. After doing some research, I felt that a good covering of ash and cinders would create the look I wanted.

I have a real coal fire in my house, so I took some real ash and used it on the yard. I had to sieve it first to remove the bigger lumps, but the resultant powder loked good, with a nice mix of colours.

I first brushed on some neat PVA glue betweenthe existing ballast, then dropped the ash in place. I then tamped it down using my finger.

I glued the ash in place using the normal ballasting technique of soaking it in diluted PVA glue. Once the it had all dried, I gave it a wash of black poster paint, which darkened it.