Scenic Express Ballast

[ednadolski]

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Historical reference of his NZT product line : http://www.zscalemonster.com/nzt/

Will these ever be available again?   Has anyone ever tried 3D printing something similar?

(Perhaps this could be taken to a different thread.)

Ed

[nickelplate759]

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?

Woodlands Scenics ballast is not rock and it literally floats.  Really annoying when you try and wet it to apply adhesive.
It's also significantly oversize for N scale, but that doesn't bother me as much.

[dandopinski]

Hi Frank, just one more thing about your manual switches. What keeps the switchpoints in place once you have lined the switch?

cheers...

Raul

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Woodlands Scenics ballast is not rock and it literally floats.  Really annoying when you try and wet it to apply adhesive.
It's also significantly oversize for N scale, but that doesn't bother me as much.

From what I've heard it's ground up and dyed walnut shells.

[Angus Shops]

Woodland Scenics also make a product they call ‘Gravel’ that is a mineral product. They intend it to be used for roads and similar, but it works fine for ballast. It has a limited colour range (light gray, medium gray, and a buff colour) - I used the light gray ‘fine’ texture, and I’m very satisfied with look.

[dem34]

~~ Didn't check the next page.

[Pomperaugrr]

I have been using a combination of Smith & Sons and Arizona Rock & Mineral ballast to get the appearance I need for the Housatonic RR.  *except for the areas that are actually mired in mud & muck... 

I mix them in a 1:3 ratio, but will vary it to represent recently reballasted areas and for variation.  Areas like yards will have more sanded grout than ballast to show the lower maintenance.

I am happy with the size and texture for N scale.

[nkalanaga]

Woodland Scenics "Iron Ore" makes good pine cones for forest scenery.