Friday 10 February 2012

Ballasting.

 My least favourite part of the layout building processis ballasting.
After a lot of time spent getting the layout running, then it is covered with glue and grit and afterwards still ,hopefully, works!
These are the ingredients. Ballast- in this case 'N' Gauge granite, Mist spray bottle, Eye Dropper, soft brush and glue.
The spray bottle has a couple of drops of Washing up liquid added- breaks surface tension and helps the glue flow around the ballast without it lumping.
The eye dropper is for applying the glue, the brush is to spread the ballast between the sleepers and to create a shoulder at the track edge.
The glue I use is a PVA, sold cheaply in Poundland for mmm- a Pound! This is watered down with about 50% water and a couple of drops of washing up liquid to ease the surface tension- not too much or the whole lot disappears under a sea of bubbles.

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Control Panel.

Nigel has kindly completed the wiring and the control apnel which is now fixed securely to the side of the second board.
The sidings can be operated independantly from the Main Line making more operational interest and prevent us from falling asleep!
All that needs doing is to tidy the wires with some cable ties and thats completed.

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Trackwork weathering.

 I was not particularly happy with the way the track colour turned out. So, as described in the last post, some more appropriate colour was purchased.
This has now been applied to the whole of the visible track and I think the result is a lot more acceptable.
The buffer stops have also been given the treatment. Once ballasted, more weathering can be applied and the lamp and buffer strip can be appropriately coloured.
Well, time to let it all dry and then ballasting can begin.