hmmm... Ballast. I've tried your suggestions, Shamus, on ballast laying, however used 50/50 PVA glue which is fine by me. However, the ballast stone mix (comercially available model ballast) instructions say to lay the ballast dry, and lightly brush into shape and volume etc. then pour the glue mixture over the railhead, not directly onto the ballast, and let it settle through. Let it set, then brush the excess away, and clean the rails. I have painted/weathered the sleepers and rails first (artist acrylic paint, burnt sienna for the sleepers and combination of burn sienna and red ochre for the rails). I found with mixing the ballast with the glue first, created a difficult laying method with the stuff sticking to everything, fingers, spoons, model knife, etc. and especially ballasting turnouts! I have not yet tried the "dry laying" method yet. Any opinions? Using HO Peco 75 nikel/silver track.
Thanks,
TOOT!