Conrail Windsor St Yard (York PA) Engineering Report

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, so maybe tomorrow... here ya go:

I've added them to the end of the post.
http://conrail1285.com/more-ballasting-progress-in-windsor-st-yard/

http://conrail1285.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-11-21-15.14.442.jpg
http://conrail1285.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-11-21-15.14.381.jpg

[crrcoal]

Thanks Ed!!

So this is very intriguing. I'm really digging the looks of Dave Fox's ballasting (refer to current photos in his thread) but your grout seems more to scale I think? IS the grout more suited for yards and such or would it also be appropriate for mainline?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, you hit upon one of the big questions of modelling: when does scale sized stuff not look right?

Personally, I like the more scale texture personally, but I also get the other perspective too.

I think the grout is the right size, but I've never measured it.

[crrcoal]

When you glue the grout in place; does it change color? I've used Arizona Rock & Mineral before and much to my chagrin it changed to a darker color . Also when you glue the grout, does the grout take on a smoothed out blended appearance?

[seusscaboose]

The smooth appearance is a function of the application

Use a sifter or a gentle tap on the side of the spoon



I believe Ed's technique is to flood the application zone with MM prior to application

[Santa Fe Guy]

Well, you hit upon one of the big questions of modelling: when does scale sized stuff not look right?

Personally, I like the more scale texture personally, but I also get the other perspective too.

I think the grout is the right size, but I've never measured it.

That is why I used Highball HO ballast on my SFRSD RR on all my mainline and passing sidings with the sifted stone dust in the yards. We found when using N Scale ballast it looked like mud after it had been glued down. Just say-in.
Rod.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

More planning is happening... I decided that I wanted to scale back my plans and do something somewhat quick and dirty, so I decided to simply close up the loop, and just "actively stage".

So, I fired up RTS and came up with this. I still plan on refining it, but I think it's a good start. Thoughts?

[jpec]

I like it...it'll be interesting to see how it fits in with the rest of the layout.

Jeff

[seusscaboose]

That should be an easy build

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like it...it'll be interesting to see how it fits in with the rest of the layout.

Jeff

One of these days, I'll draw that part up. Right now, I've got a drawing, but it's not in RTS.
In the meantime, imagine that the yard connects on both ends at the bottom ends.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That should be an easy build

That is EXACTLY my hope.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

While waiting to get started on construction, ballasting continues south. Both of the mains are now done.

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[wm3798]

Digging the backdrop buildings.  That's going to look nice.

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks Lee. I'm not sure the final placement of stuff over there, but it'll be something like that.

I wanted to share that right now, I'm in the most terrifying part of ballasting: waiting for the glue to settle and dry. It all looks like such a mess. I know it'll be fine (like the other end was) but it's damned sure nerve wracking waiting!

[mu26aeh]

I know that feeling from recently.  It came up again when I cleaned things up and using the vacuum to get rid of the loose stuff, only to find some areas for some reason did not take the glue very well and had patches of track with almost no ballast.  Of course, Lee will say that matches my prototype