Scenic Express Ballast

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm sure you've all heard my love of sanded grout for ballast, but... I'm willing to entertain other options.

One of the problems with grout is consistent availability. You need to mix your own blends using what's available, and what's available, even with the same color names, varies significantly.

While all ballast isn't the same color, I want to be in control of variations, not Home Depot's supply chain.

So I'm into exploring other options.

Woodland Scenics ballast is hot garbage, so that's out.

I'm not a fan of Smith and Son's impossible availability.

So that leaves me with Scenic Express as the obvious choice.

Who's worked with it before? Do you like it? Do you have photos of the various colors in use to compare? The photos on their website aren't terribly helpful.

Are there other quality readily available options?

[amato1969]

I am a fan of the Scenic Express product.  Foreground is the #50 Light Gray, with #50 Dark Gray on the rear tracks:



  Frank

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I am a fan of the Scenic Express product.  Foreground is the #50 Light Gray, with #50 Dark Gray on the rear tracks:



  Frank

I think I'm sold. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Do you have any of the "mixed gray"?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh, also, that geep is beautiful. What did you use for the rain gutters?

[Tristan Ashcroft]

...not to be confused with scenic ballast express (full disclosure: I was confused for a second...)

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=155821

[mu26aeh]

I'm using Scenic Express ballast, they suggest 40 for HO, 50 for N scale.  Very happy with it

[amato1969]

Oh, also, that geep is beautiful. What did you use for the rain gutters?

I appreciate that @Ed Kapuscinski !  I used Plastruct .010 x .010 styrene.  My LHS owner was like "what the hell are you going to do with that?" 

And no, I do not have any of the Mixed Gray ballast...

[ednadolski]

Is that an ME #6 turnout?

Ed

[amato1969]

Is that an ME #6 turnout?

@ednadolski it is handlaid code 40, with a DKS/NZT ground throw; I''ll tag you on a better photo over on my engineering thread.

  Frank

[dem34]

Atleast as of a few months ago AZ rock and mineral ballast was still something I could order. But I was a bit pissed when I opened a fresh bag last night and noticed it was both a noticeably different color than the last bag from the same order, but also a distinctly larger grain. Still works ok, might try SE for consistency.

[ridinshotgun]

Atleast as of a few months ago AZ rock and mineral ballast was still something I could order. But I was a bit pissed when I opened a fresh bag last night and noticed it was both a noticeably different color than the last bag from the same order, but also a distinctly larger grain. Still works ok, might try SE for consistency.

Hey at least yours was a larger grain.  I just looked at the order I just got from them and is like dust plus the color is off. Can't even mix it with the old stuff it is so bad.  I'll keep it for use on gravel roads but as ballast it is unusable.

Really wish we could get smith and sons still.   

[bbussey]

Scenic Express is what I use.  Very happy with it.

[dandopinski]

Frank, tell us more about that switch stand and the throw mechanism!

[amato1969]

@dandopinski our esteemed forum member @DKS brought these to market like 15 years ago (?).  They are cosmetic only...  I use a skewer to throw my switches.

Historical reference of his NZT product line : http://www.zscalemonster.com/nzt/

[Dwight in Toronto]

Just curious - whenever I’ve looked at my LHS assortment of N scale ballast from Woodland Scenics alongside Scenic Express offerings, I can’t really distinguish much, if any, difference.  At least, visually.  Maybe they differ in application/usability?  In what way(s) are they distinguishable?