Easy Ballasting Step By Step (30) 

I have also used wood rasps and a razor knife to trim off that little brow.

@@TheDCCGuy I know as I did not see any on your layout. Most people don't realize until it's down. You have a great channel. I learned a lot about DCC from it and now all my remaining Atheran Blue Box Locos are now DCC. Thanks.

I'll see what I can do but right now it is still mainly vaporware. From what I have seen only RR-CirKits is maki g anything.

First, I put the glue on the ballast not the rails. Howerver if I do get a splash it can be removed using a damp cloth to clean the rails before it dries. If some gets missed and dries then a swipe with a Brite Boy will get it off.

I assume you mean with the pipette? As I said in the video and in the description it is alcohol.

I hope you can get it to work for you, it does make a tedious process go much faster. I do recommend doing it in about 1’ sections as the ballast can build up and needs to be spread onto empty track. This also is about all you can do before needing a refill. Good luck!

I mostly use MicroEngineering track, but also have some Peco, all code 83.

@@TheDCCGuy Cool! That’s what I want to use on my new layout. Do you ever have any derailment issues or problems with it? As I know that the rails are lower in height.

I have never had any issues with code 83, but code 70 can be different if you have any cars with slightly oversized flanges. The only issue I know of with ME track is the gaging can be a bit tight at the frog and steam locos seem to have occasional problems with the bronze frog insert but not diesels. So you might test one with your locos before investing in a bunch. If I run into a problem I just give it a few swipes with a small flat file and move on.

@@TheDCCGuy That’s good! Thank you very much for the helpful input and information. Happy Modeling! 🚂

I think it was Woodland Scenics fine gray ballast.

Rick, wow, sorry to hear that. I must be using a very fine ballast as it does work for me. Mine is Woodland Scenics fine gray ballast. I’ll have to dig around and see what other sizes I have on hand to try out. Thanks for pointing this out before a lot of folks invest in these, they are a bit pricey. In the end the good old plastic spoon method will never let you down and I guarantee it will spread any size “model” ballast. Ok, I just tested it with Scenic Express #40 light gray limetstone ballast and some of my home made stuff that I sifted to 0.5-1 mm size and both worked fine. My home made stuff is a lot bigger than the fine ballast and is a little coarser than I really liked so I don’t use it anymore favoring the fine grade. Just what kind of problems are you having, does the ballast not come out of the spreader at all?