Weathering model railway track ballast NO PAINTS, NO AIRBRUSH! 

Thank you 🙂👍

Thanks 🙂

Let us know how you get on 🙂

No problem 👍

Cheers Darren. Same here, hadn't touched the layout for ages but just had a long weekend off and cracked on with it. Take care

I suppose you weigh up the cost v ease, though you can pick up weathering sets relatively cheap now, or use other pigments.

Well, that's debatable, the Shark is probably the most overrated piece of equipment known to man 🤣

Hi, no, though you could do if you wished, but I left as is and it's pretty engrained in there

The brown is grime from brake dust etc, though the ballast in it's pure state is grey, once a few hundred trains have passed over the red/brown colour from brake dust takes over 🙂, the scene you noticed is on a preserved railway predominantly using steam traction so there is a lot more of a black colour. But in general if you look around the main network you see the brownish colour.

@@pezza_trains It is not just break dust; the rail head is rusting continuously. The top surface of frequently used rails may _look_ shiny but there is a very thin film of iron oxide that builds quickly. This oxide layer is not visible to the eye until it builds up enough on rails that haven't been used for weeks on end. Every time a train passes the wheels crush this thin invisible oxide layer and the brown dust is blow onto the ballast and rail foot & web where it will become noticeable eventually after a few months/years. Exceptions are tracks that mainly carry dusty loads of one particular type in hoppers such as gypsum, cement, coal etc. in which case the ballast ends up the colour of the material transported, mixed with red iron oxide. All great opportunities for realistic weathering for local private mining railroad operations etc. Rail & ballast colour also has significant local variation depending on the position of equipment like automatic flange lubricators etc.

That's my next job 😉

If you click my logo you can view my efforts which I run as a tourist attraction in Canada.

@@saltspringrailway3683 I will have a look later 🙂

It hasn't for me, obviously give all the moving parts a good clean after

I may well do at some point 🙂

Hi, I used a vacuum cleaner, just to get off any excess. As you can see, even after using the vacuum, most of it stays on.

I did my whole layout, 6x4 double track with sidings, with about 1/3 pot

​@@pezza_trainsSuper! Thanks so much

​@@pezza_trains I used exactly your method and did it to my entire layout today! You've really helped me achieve some needed realism

That's really made my day, so glad I've been of inspiration 🙂

Likewise, I can use an airbrush (won't say I'm skilled though) but this method is just easier and cheaper with a bit less mess.

@@pezza_trainsI I may add a drop of scenics cement over the top of the chalk, its all over my layout already so I dont think it would hurt!

I'd disagree, I've got an airbrush but wouldn't use it for this.

Hi, I used Peco streamline finescale code 75 track, I would have used the newer Peco Bullhead type rail had it been available at the time though, the ballast is a mixture of medium and fine bog standard stuff, believe it or not, the sleepers aren't painted!

Thanks for the quick reply, did you get your ballast from hattons? Seems like one of the most popular places for it.

@@CWLifts I can't remember if I'm honest, I think eBay!

Fair enough, do you have links to the weathering powders?

@@CWLifts they're standard Humbrol/Revell, one is soot black and the other is earth brown, available from most places, I think mine came from eBay.

Woodland Scenics I think

The brush works it into the gaps on the ballast, as per the real thing, leaving just the right amount.

@@pezza_trains Thanks..

It's sticky powder.

Possibly if you get the right colour, I've never tried lol

Definitely powder! 🙂

Hi, used Revell soot black weathering powder and Humbrol dark earth weathering powder.

@@pezza_trains Thanks so much

Just checked other replies and answered my question!