Preferred Order

[RaiderCTE]

I'm at the point of growing grass, trees and also ballasting. I've put down a coat of dirt (paint). Which would you guys do first, ballasting or grasses?

 

[interurban]

Hi CTE,
I always ballast first, if I am working on an old siding I put grass and weeds amongst the ballast then use the diluted glue and watered down liquid soap, to try and "get it all in one".

But you must assess each area and work out the best way to get the finished project the way you visualise it

 

[Railery]

it depends. i stay away from the track area until i ballast it. i do other scenery areas anytime or within 3" of the track. If u want the grass to show through the ballast, u would still ballast track first.

 

[marty w.]

I put the first layer of grass down first, then ballast.
So any order would work.
Marty

 

[RaiderCTE]

RE

Thanks guys, I just wanted to make sure before I laid all the ballast then found out that I should of done the grass first.

Thanks again.

 

[Vic]

Ballast and Grass or Grass and Ballast

Lets use just a little bit of Star Trek/ Mr. Spock logic ...First there's the terrain with the grass growing on it. Then along comes the railroad. The railroad grades the terrain to build the line and the grass is destroyed. The railroad then lays the track and ballasts it. Then the grass grows back

Now along comes Joe the ace model railroader building his layout His table is the terrain already graded He lays his track and ballasts it and then puts down the grass

Now here comes Doofus who tries to run n scale trains on ho track He puts down his grass, then lays his track and ballasts it

Result: All three look the same

Conclusion: 'Ya can't fool Mother Nature...you can only come close and there ain't no right way or wrong way. and no matter which way you go around your elbow you still end up at your ear!!!

 

[sumpter250]

and no matter which way you go around your elbow you still end up at your ear!!!

OOPS!!!! I seem to have ended up at my fingers!!!!