N scale HOW TO BALLAST KATO UNITRACK with TILE GROUT

[@RichardBrotherton-p6e]

I have two N TRAK modules, that I use for shows. I'm going to be laying KATO track on a piece of 2'X4' piece of half inch piece of plywood, which I will be storing under my bed. There is VERY limited space in my apartment. I find your glue dots very helpful, thanks.

[@Mason-DixonRR]

Nicely done and excellent tip. Looks great.

[@N_scale]

I like it a lot. Some don’t but I’m trying to show something nicer than normal ballast and much better looking because the grains are finer. Literally 50 colours to choose from

[@Mason-DixonRR]

@@N_scale and the glue is included, almost a 1 step application.

[@N_scale]

@@Mason-DixonRR I try to explain the benefits to everyone. More realistic, cheaper 20$ for a giant bag, available in any colour, finer than woodland scenics, and not the same colour as everyone else’s. Plus it’s way less mess on the rails and much much easier to apply. You get it!

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Looks really, really good. Nice job.

[@N_scale]

Easy to apply Not stressful Cheaper

[@fepatton]

That’s really smart! I like the result.

[@gtcbr600]

thanks Man that's an awesome idea and heaps cheaper and you can get range of colours and shades as well just goggles our local bunnings that's a hardware store in Perth Australia its like its like $11 for a 1.5kgs so cheap

[@N_scale]

Make sure you layer it Thin Sift it up and keep wetting it as soon as it dries which if you use alcohol is pdq. And at end I like to seal it with a brushed on glue and iso

[@rawaer1]

Wow ,super toller Tipp....dankeeeee.....👍👍👍 Rainer

[@deswright2075]

I agree,im never happy with my fine ballast its to big for n scale, love what you did with that it looks awesome real nice 👌 ☘

[@N_scale]

Thank you it does look so much better. I agree

[@Silverstatetrains]

Great video. Any suggestions for a darker gray grout color that would be appropriate. Thanks.

[@N_scale]

Yo to you what you like.

[@daveygivens735]

Great approach. -Do you have a grout brand you might recommend? I don't know much about it; I'm assuming they have different compositions. Thx.

[@derricksmith9524]

Gm brotha i love alot of Kato tracks and accessories but i didnt buy anything else from them due to there turnouts having shorts i'd love to know or get and understanding on which turnout to purchase to alleviate that issue

[@jeffcramer6722]

small point: grout isn't installed dry and then wetted with a sponge, it is mixed with water then troweled on wet, then cleaned

[@N_scale]

@@jeffcramer6722 I spray alcohol and water on a couple layers and super soak it It’s working great

[@jeffcramer6722]

@N_scale I was actually referring to how tile is grouted

[@N_scale]

@ yes

[@tiaedge562]

Arizona Rock and Mineral makes lots of colors for different areas.

[@N_scale]

A fortune to ship vs Lowes Home Depot etc in your town. Yes it’s real rocks. Still doesn’t have the glue built in. The spraying glue on rail and buildings is over. This way is faster cheaper and better in every single way.

[@jimaiken1167]

Yeah but isn’t grout permanent? How would you get it off your track if you decided to sell it? I love Arizona rock and mineral. They actually use the colored rocks of the real railroads. Plus if you decide to remove the ballast you can just drop the track sections in a bucket of water and it falls off. I do like where you’re coming from scale appearance.

[@jamesmoonkat37]

0:59 One problem with grout is it is powdery. If you get it anywhere close to a Kato #4 turnout, you’ll destroy it.

[@N_scale]

So far so good I use sparingly around the turnouts frog and points. I use a brushed on coating of alcohol and mod podge to seal it all. I will never go back to ballast. It looks much better and I can pick any color, cost, well 22$ to do an entire layout vs 15$ a canister

[@daveygivens735]

Random question I ask now and then: Has anyone every ballasted doubletrack?

[@N_scale]

Yep I have same idea

[@miketiller6046]

Question: sanded or unsanded grout?

[@N_scale]

Sanded and another schlacking on top to make it smooth

[@mikecole819]

Would have been better if you demonstrated how you did while you were talking about it.

[@N_scale]

@@mikecole819 thanks Mike I have a video called best practices sorry I’m not a professional filmmaker just yet

[@mikecole819]

@ just a suggestion not being a critic.

[@N_scale]

@ np there are a few vids on my channel that have this

[@franklinwhite5392]

Its called a bucket not a pail! A pail is smaller

[@N_scale]

@@franklinwhite5392 yes sir

[@barenekid9695]

Sorry... but KATO track looks MOST like Kiddie toy train stuff.

[@N_scale]

@@barenekid9695 are you going to make it

[@pieroluciano3272]

Does the grout have any caustic issues? I know tiling materials can be acidic and with metal contact, I imagine that could be bad.

[@N_scale]

@@pieroluciano3272 runs good here I am careful with it Once it’s sealed I don’t see that being a problem

[@kathylackamp7421]

Why would anyone want a train set so dammed small! No wonder America has problem! Nuts!

[@N_scale]

It’s a model railroad. What scale you in. HO

[@readingthebible5413]

Congratulations! You’ve made the most nonsensical post of the year! Pointing to choice of scale train size as a factor in the crumbling of a country…..wow, yup. That’s a doozy! lol.