| Train track is no doubt the most important | | | | trains do not work properly and you cannot |
| feature of any model railroad layout, because | | | | locate the problem. |
| without track, the trains would have nothing to | | | | It is well worth taking your time and getting it |
| run on. You could just attach the track to the | | | | right first time. To ensure a good clean finish, you |
| baseboard, but to replicate a real railroad requires | | | | may want to inspect the ballasting after the |
| track ballasting. | | | | adhesive has dried. You may want to fill in some |
| Fortunately there are several good ballasting | | | | gaps and do some touch-up work. |
| products available in hobby shops, specialist model | | | | After everything is dry you could add more |
| train stores and online. However, if you have a | | | | realism to the ballasting - like oil marks, dirt and |
| large layout, buying these can be expensive. | | | | grime where trains have passed over the track. |
| There are some cheaper options like masonry | | | | An airbrush is an ideal tool for doing this. |
| sand, but you need to use them with caution. | | | | The important thing is to vary the airbrushing |
| Masonry sand is generally sold to builders and is | | | | effect. Some locomotives will have stood for |
| available from hardware stores in big twenty-five | | | | some time in one spot and dripped oil. Grease and |
| pound bags. You will be surprised how much you | | | | grime would accumulate in different areas over |
| use when spreading it along the track of an | | | | time and in different amounts, so do not be too |
| average sized layout. | | | | consistent with the effect. |
| Be careful though, because some masonry sands | | | | You can use different colors in an airbrush and |
| do contain iron which could upset the electrical | | | | build up layers as you go. Use a heavier application |
| track current. Test the masonry sand for iron | | | | of color where the most grime would accumulate. |
| using a strong magnet. If any of the sand sticks | | | | As I said earlier; use a blend of several ballast |
| to the magnet - do not buy it. | | | | colors rather than just plain gray. It will add a |
| Masonry sand is generally available in fine through | | | | more authentic look to the layout. If you are |
| to course grading and comes in a range of | | | | buying the proper model railroading ballast from a |
| pigments. You may want to mix colors for added | | | | hobby store, select the coarse stuff for O scale, |
| effect. Another option is to use the masonry | | | | the medium for HO/OO and the fine grade for N |
| sand (which is inexpensive) as a base coat and | | | | scale. Remember you can mix the grades |
| apply the regular model railroading ballast (more | | | | together if required. |
| expensive) on top. | | | | After the paint from the airbrushed grease and |
| Always ensure the electrics are in place and that | | | | grime effect has dried; you can then start to |
| the rail joiners are tight fitting before you begin to | | | | weather the rail faces with a rust colored paint. |
| ballast any track. If you forget to do this, you | | | | Wait for everything to thoroughly dry before |
| could have problems on sections of track. And, | | | | running any trains or attempting to clean any |
| take care not to do any damage when applying | | | | track surfaces. |
| the ballast. It can be very frustrating when your | | | | |