Author Topic: Smith & Son Ballast  (Read 13375 times)

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wazzou

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #60 on: February 19, 2018, 05:58:57 PM »
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For all the poo-pooing WS crushed walnut hull ballast gets, it most certainly isn't translucent under any magnification.  Just sayin'.


No need to magnify it.  It's huge enough.   ;)
Bryan

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chicken45

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #61 on: February 19, 2018, 06:07:44 PM »
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For all the poo-pooing WS crushed walnut hull ballast gets, it most certainly isn't translucent under any magnification.  Just sayin'.


I didn’t mention that on purpose because...that’s one of Tom’s dirty little secrets. 


Tom Mann is a WS ballast guy.
Josh Surkosky

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No, I said "Ed's Law."

Dave V

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #62 on: February 19, 2018, 06:16:12 PM »
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No need to magnify it.  It's huge enough.   ;)

Touché.   :D

GaryHinshaw

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #63 on: February 19, 2018, 06:35:45 PM »
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High in fiber.

And an excellent source of calcium.



chicken45

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #64 on: February 19, 2018, 10:21:13 PM »
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Josh Surkosky

Here's a Clerihew about Ed. K.

Ed Kapucinski
Every night, he plants a new tree.
But mention his law
and you've pulled your last straw!

Alternate version:
Ed Kapucinski
Every night, he plants a new tree.
He asks excitedly "Did you say Ménage à Trois?"
No, I said "Ed's Law."

wazzou

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #65 on: February 19, 2018, 10:37:56 PM »
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@chicken45 - what AR&M flavor was it that was so translucent?

I've taken another couple of photos of the ballast I blended and will post them tomorrow.
I wonder if the translucency would diminish or even disappear when fixed with Matte Medium?

Edit..never mind, I see it was PRR light blend.  Don't have any myself.



« Last Edit: February 20, 2018, 01:22:05 PM by wazzou »
Bryan

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nkalanaga

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #66 on: February 20, 2018, 01:52:42 AM »
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My AR&M ballast doesn't look translucent, even under 10X magnification, after it's glued down.  I didn't look at the unglued stuff.  It looks just as solid as the "mortar sand" (local limestone) and "Pasco sand" (naturally ground basalt and Rocky Mt whatever) I use for general scenery.

The AR&M is C&NW "Pink Lady", a good match for GN's pink quartzite, NP Basalt, and an unknown brownish stuff I used for the MILW branch.  I also have some AR&M ATSF reds and Cinders mixed in in places, and a greenish stuff (granite?) for scenery material.

On the other hand, the "Clearwater River Sand", from the Clearwater River in Idaho, that I used for creek beds DOES look translucent, due to the quartz in it.  But once the water is poured it looks fine.
N Kalanaga
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wazzou

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #67 on: February 20, 2018, 06:03:56 PM »
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Added photo above...
Bryan

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jpec

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #68 on: February 21, 2018, 08:51:49 PM »
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Is there an N scale PRR blend?

You could always get the Penn Central blend....15 oz dirt and 1 oz rocks to a pound....
"trees are non-judgmental, and they won't abuse or betray you."- DKS

nkalanaga

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #69 on: February 22, 2018, 01:42:51 AM »
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I do have some WS ballast on my layout, left over from 30 or 40 years ago.  The N scale "Iron Ore" makes great pine cones for N scale Montana forest ground cover. 

You might be able to find a size that would work for sugar beets as well, but that would probably have to be painted.  Unlike some suggestions I've seen, using seeds or spices, walnut shells shouldn't spoil or attract bugs, and it would make a fairly light load.
N Kalanaga
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basementcalling

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #70 on: February 22, 2018, 07:56:59 PM »
+2
 :D :D. Only Gary could start a thread on ballast that would go for 5 pages!
Peter Pfotenhauer

hyde

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #71 on: March 11, 2018, 09:05:57 AM »
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Sad to report, but Dale passed away back in February.   :(
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-herald/obituary.aspx?n=dale-harlan-smith&pid=188229096&fhid=2649
Dale's nephew and Harley's grandson, Paul, is considering taking over the ballast business.

ridinshotgun

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #72 on: March 11, 2018, 11:26:54 AM »
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Sad to report, but Dale passed away back in February.   :(
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-herald/obituary.aspx?n=dale-harlan-smith&pid=188229096&fhid=2649
Dale's nephew and Harley's grandson, Paul, is considering taking over the ballast business.

Wow that stinks.   :(

I wish the family the best and hope they continue to supply the ballast.

GaryHinshaw

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #73 on: March 11, 2018, 05:08:53 PM »
+3
:(  Barely a week after I picked up my "lifetime" supply of Penn-Ohio.

Cherish each moment folks.  Rest in peace, Dale.

chicken45

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Re: Smith & Son Ballast
« Reply #74 on: March 12, 2018, 07:18:02 PM »
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Wow. So sad. :(
Josh Surkosky

Here's a Clerihew about Ed. K.

Ed Kapucinski
Every night, he plants a new tree.
But mention his law
and you've pulled your last straw!

Alternate version:
Ed Kapucinski
Every night, he plants a new tree.
He asks excitedly "Did you say Ménage à Trois?"
No, I said "Ed's Law."