Ballasting at the Scratchbuilder’s Guild
Well folks, Ron Pare invited me to be a contributing author over at the Scratchbuilder’s Guild. I must say that I was flattered by the request. I did have a concern that the BS&T blog might suffer because of it, or that I might not put my best effort into the Guild. After some consideration I think I can do both without taking away from either blog. So, I’ll be writing how-to’s and kit reviews for the Guild, and link to them from here. I’ll still post BS&T updates and operations reports here as I’ve always done.
My first assignment, that I chose from a list of possibilities, was to do a series on scenery. Since I was at the scenery stage in Derwin’s Drop I thought that would be a good one to start with. My first topic is ballasting – how to go from this…
to this (the glue is still wet)…
So drop by the Scratchbuilder’s Guild to read about Ballasting Your Layout.
Scott
Scott
Will you still talk to us little people
Congrats. Looking forward to reading your other posts.
Doug
From up here in the Ivory Tower you do look like little people, but I will always remember my humble beginnings! Ha! I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, but it should be fun!
Later!
Scott (waving from “on high”)
Fame becomes you! Looking forward to having another site to visit. Thanks for pointing the east-coast brethren my way.
Fame? I don’t think so, but thanks anyway. Ha!
No problem Michael! Helping each other out is just another great part of the hobby! I haven’t heard back from them yet, but hopefully they’ll come up with something.
Scott
Hi Scott;
Whats next – senior editor of MR (ha! ha!)??Congrats – I’m sure you will do a great job and it gives me more reading to do….like you dont post enough already!!!!Again just kidding – wish I was as diligent as you with my postings. Just a note on ballasting – I too use mostly Woodland Scenics (medium -grey blend), but recently used Highball Products balllast. Its made of real rock and as such, doesnt tend too float up as easily when you wet it with the alcohol. I beileve the Woodland Scenics ballast is made of crushed nut shell, so you have to be alittle more careful when using it. Cheers.
Wayne
Thanks Wayne! You’ll be the first person I notify when MR calls. ;^)
I rather enjoy writing, for fun. If I was forced to do for a living I probably wouldn’t enjoy it so much. Writing about one of my favorite things, model railroading, is a lot of fun! Besides, it gives me incentive to do some work on the layout.
I don’d have much of a problem with the WS ballast moving when I apply alcohol. I do if I squeeze the bottle too hard creating a stream of alcohol rather than drops.
There are several other ballast products that I’d like to try, but I probably won’t switch mid-stream. I might buy a container of some different looking stuff for sidings, or maybe for dirt or graveled areas. Hmmm… I think I might go on-line shopping this evening. No, I can’t, must save money for our trip to Saint John on Saturday. A full day of operating on the Island Central and Carleton Railways! I can’t wait!
Later!
Scott
Hello
Yor link to Scratchbuilders needs an update…
Ron’s been working on a new site. I noticed yesterday that it was not working. You can get to the old site at a different URL – http://ronpare.blogspot.com/
Scott
Scott,
When I click on the lower picture, the popup seems smaller than the original. A larger one would be great to see the extra details!
Nice site, I’m going to be ballasting the Colorado & Santa Fe sub soon!
Working mountains and trees at the moment!
Joe
Sorry about that Joe! I’ll get that fixed as soon as I can – later today unfortunately.
Keep us informed on your progress. I have your site in my Google Reader so I see new posts almost as soon as you post them.
Scott
Thanks Scott
Great read. I am getting ready to work on ballasting in Appleton so this is timely for me.
Thanks
Al
Great! I’m glad it was timely for you.
Scott
Oh by the way. Still can’t enlarge the photos.
Ha! Never thought I’d ever say this – I’ll have to check with my editor. He’s made some changes and may have inadvertently removed the ability to enlarge. I’ll let you know when it is back.
See you on Saturday, if the weather holds.
Scott