Ballasting Track Made Easy

In this video we will look at the tools, materials, and techniques needed to ballast your track - and one tool in particular that will make the job easier!
Enjoy!

[@louanderson1264]

Great video and excellent tip about using a paint edger. For touching up in really small areas, I use a pipette to apply the ballast. Keep up the tutorials coming.

[@JerseyHighlandsBruce]

Thanks for the comment and for another good tip, Lou.

[@dnhman]

Another tip is use a long paint brush handle and tap the tops of the rails which helps to knock bits off the ties,

[@JerseyHighlandsBruce]

Good tip, Joe.

[@railmus]

Use a metal spoon to lay the ballast. Tap the rails with the spoon and the ballast settles in much better!
Transmission fluid works just as well as the clipper oil.

[@JerseyHighlandsBruce]

Good tips, John.

[@williamsantangelo]

Thank You Bruce

[@JerseyHighlandsBruce]

You are welcome, William.

[@dnhman]

Hi Bruce good info. One suggestion on the oil as that's a real good point, try using conductive oil for those areas. It might help down the road.

[@JerseyHighlandsBruce]

Another good suggestion, Joe. The Wahl Clipper Oil is conductive. In fact, some model railroaders wipe a thin layer of that oil on the top of their rails. They believe that it improves pickup. Others think that it attracts dirt. I used to put one drop on each rail about 3-4 places on the layout and let the train wheels spread it around. Seemed to help smooth running.

[@jimstrainsandstuff9539]

Nice demo Bruce. I use a very similar method with slightly different 'hardware'.

[@JerseyHighlandsBruce]

Thanks, Jim.

[@donaldkormos5529]

Thanks for the video ... gotta buy cork & code 83 track for next bigger layout since current has E-Z Track ... then I'll try your techniques!!! All the best ...

[@JerseyHighlandsBruce]

You are welcome, Donald. Good luck with the new layout.