#steamyardbuild It's been over 24hrs since the steam yard track ballast was laid. An evening inspection shows an excellent result! Always a little worrying. Some of you may be wondering about the choice of colour. Nothing to do with the supply quarry sending it in error. In fact, it's something I discovered recently in a local discount store. It is sold as candle sand, used literally for standing candles in when creating indoor displays. I have experimented with normal ballast laying methods and painting - all with excellent end results. As to the scale size of the sand, it is actually falls between OO and N scale. I have also been researching old photographic evidence of steam yards and, it's become very apparent that lower grade ballasts and, indeed, firebox ashes and clinkers were often mixed together to form a cheap and ready accessible ballasting aggregate. Over the next few weeks, as the yard build progresses, I am sure the overall effect will prove successful.

Posted by Arboleas Junction at 2025-02-16 21:47:34 UTC