More on the roadbed

Thought I would post a little more on the road bed, I hope to have better pictures on this process this spring when I continue building on the layout.

Where I left off on the process in the last post was leveling the top of the roadbed. After that's done I lightly dust the roadbed with cement and then mist water on it and I let it set and dry for a day or two, (more then anything its to help hold things in place while I am fitting track.)

Once the track fitted and setting on the roadbed where I want it I am ready for the ballast, for the ballast I am using a material called roofing granules, (the same stuff that comes from roofing shingles and that you clean out of your gutter every year, the cost is about $50.00 for a 50 pound bucket) It comes in different colors, but found that most roofing supply companies only carry light brown or white, I bought the white but plan on spray painting some black and gray paint into the bucket and mixing it around to achieve more prototypical look.

For Ballast

 Before I put the ballast on the track I mix 1 part dry cement powder to 2 parts ballast I then pour ballast on the ties and the sides of the track, using a paint brush to clean the tops of the ties and both sides of the rail, After ballast looks the way you want it, you mist it with water and wait a few days, clean your track and it's ready to use. I almost forgot you can fairly easily super elevate your curves with this ballast. 

Soon my thoughts on track and what track is best suited for outdoor use.  

                                  Until Next Time.