New Layout Build - Ballasting

[@tobortine]

I don't have a layout and have no intention of getting one but I love your videos. Your attention to detail is stunning and watching it all coming together is fascinating.

[@thechickenclub3801]

Ditto. Me words exactly

[@mikemilan4234]

...and me. I've done a fair bit of plastic kit & R/C modelling, & just love watching Richard's vids because his general modelling skills & attention to detail are so good, & the results are pretty spectacular!

[@garydoc]

Having moved out to Spain four years ago, my small collection of Hornby rolling stock and track was tucked away, in the UK, in storage at my daughter’s house. Having watched your videos on construction of sidings and a refuelling yard, for your old layout and, now the new layout construction, I decided to have the small collection of models shipped over to me. The last time the three locos ran was probably around 1986. None of them has had more than an hour or so of running. (BR 0-6-0 Class 3F No. 47556, LNER 4-6-2 No. 4476 ‘Royal Lancer’ & BR 2-10-0 No. 92220 ‘Evening Star’). DC was the order of the day then but, my trusty Hornby R912, refitted with a European plug, leapt into action and, all three locos ran well around a short oval, on the dining table. I’ll be investigating DCC conversions and then deciding on the best layout arrangement and suitable place to house it. Sadly, no loft here but, a rather nice 1 1/2 car garage! Hope you and your Everard Junction followers didn’t mind me going a bit but, I guess you’re never to old to model!

[@gunlokman]

Astonishing level of detail. Great camera work and commentary etc. Just a joy to watch!

[@dodahspeak]

This is absolutely superb! The weathering and realism to both the trains and the track is incredible.

[@hellooohowareudoing]

Just watched this for the 2nd time and it's so impressive already! When you are working on a relatively small area it's easy to forget that just down the track you have moving cars, a canal , a branch line, car auction place and many more things to come such as a station building! It's almost photorealistic (or should that be videorealistic ?!) and you haven't even started with the super fine details. I said some time ago it will be the best permanent model railway in the UK and I stand by that. It would be great to have a quick tour of the railway so you can let us all know where various things will be,or perhaps plans for certain areas, as I say it's easy to forget how large it is. Amazing work.

[@chrisjheath1768]

Fantastic job, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen model ballast as realistic as this. Can’t wait to see more.

[@paulsmith6553]

Enjoy seeing the different diesels and rolling stock, so very different then North America. Fun layout, heavy mixed traffic.

[@MK-Slinky]

@Everard Junction, your attention to detail is absolutely incredible! I worked as a Vehicle Builder for BR Engineering Ltd at Wolverton for 10 years and watching your fabulous videos certainly brings back some wonderful memories ;) I don't have the space for a model layout but if I did I'd find your videos invaluable. There's a lot of good model builders on KZbin but nobody does it as well as you chap! Keep up the good work! ;)

[@speleokeir]

After watching you dry that ballast in the oven I really fancy some apple crumble! Seriously great video. I really admire your craftmanship, attention to detail and patience. And it's the same with your editing skills.

[@andixxburtonxx8715]

Once again, an example of mahoosive attention to detail & example of patience. Simply superb Model Railway Engineer.

[@tomhennessey4945]

It’s surprisingly impressive how much of a difference painting the sides of the rails makes to the effect!

[@agnostic47]

True, and it's so quick and easy to do. I've seen otherwise excellent and highly detailed model railways where the builder hasn't "rusted" the rails.

[@paulchance3766]

I'm surprised more people haven't seen this amazing work of Art!

[@swaool]

Excellent work, Richard. The short "test sections" to try different visual effects is a good example of the type of forward thinking that more of us should employ.

[@User-3O3]

I love this, man. I bow to your superior modelling ability. You are a true craftsman.

[@scrapbookrail]

Superb modelling, both me and the Mrs enjoy watching your videos

[@wthwing]

Very well done, but all your work is great. I LOVE watching yours, David and Rob's video and workmanship... Thank you for all the pleasure you have given me ( and others ).....

[@jvanamb]

Good day Rich, Love and collect your tutorials. You don't just showoff your Ops. Or lip flap about what you plan to do. Followed by what you want to do. Culminating in what you failed to do due to time constraints. When you say what you need to do.....YOU DO IT. Thank you. Now some tips I have used in balasting over the past 60+ years. 1) In those areas where you want deeper shallows or slopes in your balast, add an extra 1/16" to 1/4" underlayment to your roadbed. The extra underlayment needs to extend beyond your cork bed & be beveled at a 45 degree angle. This will provide a greater slope without using a lot of £$€ balast. 2) To areas you know you wish to weather a different hue than the balast, when mixing your PBA and water add a few drops paint in the desired coloring to the weathering. It will blend in and make top coating less work when cleaning up. I actually keep empty glue bottles with my half & half set mix AND various color mixes for a ready access. That way I don't have to stop and mix and remix and on & on. I do however mark the outside of the glue bottle with the formula so I don't have to experment to find the color match I am looking for. Tah from the Colonies, and I'll SEE YA' DOWN THE LINE, Jim

[@EverardJunction]

Thanks for the tips Jim. I ended up keeping glue on standby as I slowly realised how much I was going to need! Will try tinting the glue in future. Cheers

[@bobwatson2531]

You Sir,are a master of your craft,your attention to detail never ceases to amaze me.Excellent work as usual.

[@MrVinnyh]

Looks superb Richard, just goes to show a bit of time spent looking at a few photo's can help transform a layout into a railway, Part of my former role at the Colne Valley Railway was S&T maintenance manager, which involved slapping track grease (a horrid black runny grease, which stained everything it landed on intentionally or not!) on the points sliding chairs where the blades slide. I hope I have remembered right, the 6' is the ballast edge/shoulder, 4' in between the two rails & cess was between the adjacent running line, if I'am slightly wrong on the later someone will correct me.

[@formidable38]

Having worked on the real thing for the last 30 years, I have to say, you've got those colours spot-on!!!

[@wolfpack4694]

Great idea to wash the dust off the ballast. Really brings out the color and angles of the stone.

[@sub39h]

Looks fantastic. I wish I had the space you have as well as your patience and skill.

[@gallofourteen116]

the little twist thing that holds the tracks down is called a E key or if you see bigger versions (usually on wooden sleepers) they are called 501s

[@EverardJunction]

Thanks for the info

[@gallofourteen116]

@@EverardJunction its pronounced 5-(number) 0-(letter) 1-(number)s and you generally get those one around points (flat bottom rail), breathers and where the sleepers are wood going over foot tunnels, bridges, water catch pits etc.

[@TK-Will.]

Having worked on the railway as a signal engineer/ track man for well over 10 years. I can say your layout looks spot on And you’ve done an excellent job on the ballast 👍

[@BellshillBranch]

Great job Richard, the attention to detail is what makes your layout look so realistic. An inspiration to us mere mortals!

[@Bonehill70]

love the videos, it's better than watching Netflix - I don't currently have a layout but your videos are constantly tempting me to unpack all of my LNER collection I had when I was at school in the 1980s, and start building a layout - need to earn & bank a few more brownie points with my wife first though - thanks so much for the entertainment & education, the detail is stunning

[@largesatsuma]

Cup of tea time. It's everard junction.

[@robertschmidt6383]

Hello, I saw in another ballisting video that this guy used a vibrating hand sander under the table and the ballast just sank right into place. Even in the middle of the rails. Looked really good.

[@garylester55]

Hi Richard, I enjoy watching your layout updates, brilliant detail, great work, you are a master craftsman, your layout is coming along great and I look forward to your next video. I hope you had a nice Easter, take care, kind regards Gary, Perth Western Australia.

[@EverardJunction]

Thanks Gary, more videos on the way!

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

Great observation as to ballast conditions varying. This is also affected by whatever is next to the relevant lines. Bearing in mind tracks by motorways have build up of exhaust particles ( which add to problems with leaf fall resins ) or farmland which tends to be dustier. Also the tendancy of BR to use whatever was laying around when work was needed. ( now, especially on the continent, there are machines that remove ballast, wash it and replace it and compact it as track laying and relaying is taking place). There was always the odd bit of track where after engineering works had been carried out, suddenly you came across a bright, white patch of ballast, but it took ages to blend in with everything else.

[@trainmanbob]

Superb video as always Richard. These videos are very educational as well as enjoyable...After 60 years modelling I am still learning all the time!!!! Cheers, Bob

[@SlickCrusty]

yeah amazing attention to detail ,i now notice all other railroads lack of detail,good on ya ,alot of times the stills look like reality ,you do an amazing job & do enjoy your film work ,excellent keep up your great work,i have learnt heaps watchin your films ,thanks very much

[@dave1001]

None of this airbrushing was possible or mod rock when i had a big layout but that was way back in the 70's. It looks possibly better than the real life thing well done Richard

[@eddiebcfc1140]

Wow! The intro looks super real, great video 😀!

[@7APT7]

Hi, You inspire us all, you are always a great watch, attention to detail is your perfection, and so good at it, if i had just 1% of your 5 a day, i’d be well chuffed with myself. Would love to meet you in person, and is my aim to do so... one day, if the wind is in the right direction lol until then keep doing your bloggin’ to help us all to carry on chuffin’ Huge 👍Thumbs Up👍

[@rayparry5234]

As a general rule when laying troughing, the larger lids have notches in them and the male sticky out notch normally points into the up direction. This is to give consistency if you have more than one team of workers laying the troughing. Your layout looks really good and you attention to detail is superb. What I don't understand is why modellers glue down the ballast. In the real world it is loose and I have my ballast loose. If i have any alterations I need to do then I get a small car vac and suck up the ballast ready for to be re-used.

[@russellrattys6581]

I love the fact you have used concrete sleeper track, its not often if at all you see wooden sleepers on a modern main line, and you wouldnt see brand new locos and rolling stock on a preservation line where they may have wooden sleepers, so thats more accurate than most model railway layouts, i would do that myself, and i dont know why more manufacturers dont offee concrete sleeper track, or at least i havent found many options of it

[@patricksullivan9951]

You truly have a knack for making things look quite natural! I never fair to be impressed with a before and after look at what you have accomplished! Looking forward to the next chapter!!

[@atmocheaptricks]

Looking wow. I have used many types ballast and weathering having pleasing results. some of my layout is over 40 years old bringing it up to dcc has been a challenge. Cost is a factor but with some ingenuity some good results are possible.

[@SolarRailway]

The train rakes are amazing and the container rake is my favourite, excellent update and progress as always

[@wilmath-xc9kl]

You are an artist this is so amazing thank you for your videos.

[@Cheadleridgelanetmd]

As a train driver you’ve weathered the track absolutely perfectly it’s exquisite

[@EverardJunction]

Thanks. If it's good enough for a driver its good enough for me!

[@1949David]

You put a lot of work in on the details. At times I feel like stopping the train for a ride, so realistic you make it. Keep up the good work.

[@kittonsmitton]

Perhaps in cab camera rides.

[@jamesedwards7241]

Another great video showing how things can be moved up a level or three visually, Just a point regarding sleepers, after many years driving over them the influence of the trains themselves on the color patina they acquire, including the direction with the downside not catching the same amounts of oil and dirt leaving them in relation to the upside quiet lightly covered/colored.

[@SteveS3667]

I think this is the most realistic ballasting/trackwork I've ever seen on a layout, I will have to try this method out, brilliant !!

[@timstrainvideos142]

thoughtful planning and great attention to detail

[@spence812]

Excellent and very informative videos. Thanks for taking the time to share. Always wanted to learn the fine details.

[@FarlandHowe]

I notice solid stick flange lubrication is used commonly too. They are mobile and operate from train. I’d not heard of the stationary type thing until you mentioned it in this video. 👍

[@Pat.Mustard]

I love watching these. Thanks for sharing.

[@paularmstrong4546]

Super bit of ballesting there, luv the weathered rails, looks very life like.

[@johnbrown9092]

Looks excellent. Super elevation on the curves is well done and realistic.

[@AndyHudson-ModelRailwayBuilds]

Excellent video Richard I liked the different colour tones with varied ballast shades, makes a big difference. Thanks for the open day shout out, look forward to seeing you then. Andy

[@EverardJunction]

Cheers Andy, see you at the open day.

[@joeturner1597]

The little twist thing is called a Pandrol clip. Back in the day, gangs used to have competitions for the best dressed length & Signalmen could ride their pushbikes along the cess. Different days now. I nearly came a cropper several times when carrying out protection on the North Clyde.

[@tsrail9244]

You’ve done an excellent job mate. It looks very realistic.

[@davidballoid2118]

Rather than use a track rubber, you can use a razor followed up with 1500-2000 grit sandpaper buffs off the overspray quite nicely. You could even use softer metal to scrape off the rail tops without damaging the rail, that's what I use! All an all your layout is turning out nice I'd be proud of it!

[@laheu]

The spaced out sleepers give an absolutely fantastic look now the weathering is down.

[@henryporter5466]

I worked on the P-Way for a very long time. With your 'Vibrating Machine', I think you are confusing it with a 'Tamper'. This lifted the track and tamped the ballast under the sleepers. For some reason, in my neck of the woods, the crews were always Italians. Removing ballast from the tops of sleepers was left to us poor buggers with shovels!!

[@JamesSimpsonn]

Jesus Richard that is some incredible realism. So worth your hard effort, hats off to you sir!

[@thescrapline4905]

What a transformation! This is one area of mine I'm really looking forward to doing.. I've trawled through the net at so many images of the track at Exeter and Laira to get the right tones. Light weathering right through to thick oil,. Can't wait 😅

[@GRPZ66]

Wow, now that is a nice collection of trains in a yard. Excellent. Love the layout and the videos. Keep up the good work.

[@guitarcovers1019]

I've just been watching your old videos and I just saw this the progress is sensational, keep up the good work Billy

[@kittonsmitton]

Great DJ and the Rembrandt of weathering effects and the Da vinci of sculpting and design. Wonderful way to while away the hours! Always enjoyable to see good editing as well, please keep them coming, thanks for sharing your creativity and talent.

[@daviddouglas6765]

Mate you are the man love your videos you put up on here , when i see a new one come up on here i get myself a beer or rum and coke and sit down and watch your new video and enjoy, always great entertainment and alot of good tips and tricks from you , keep up the good work my friend ,i eagerly await your next installment

[@stephenwilliamson4556]

Don't know if it's been commented yet, as I haven't scrolled through, but those twisty things that hold the rails to the sleepers are called "Pandrol clips". There is a special tool that is used to get them on and off, (I believe one of the workers in your crew near the points is holding one) however, after using one, I can say, from limited experience, getting those clips on and off with good aim and a sledgehammer is much easier. I did make a mess of a concrete sleeper the first time I tried to get one on, however, with a few practice shots, it's really easy. Great video, really enjoyed it.

[@mesnilman2327]

The level of realism is quite astounding

[@stmichaelshill7421]

Looks brilliant Richard - really worth the extra effort with the ballast colours. Can't wait to see what's next! Rich

[@kevinmottram9491]

Great stuff Richard, looking really good. Some of the shots looking along the track, post ballasting and weathering, look almost real. A superb job.

[@cranefly23]

Superb! Just when you think it can’t get any better....... 😲

[@DallamTMD]

Excellent weathering very very convincing

[@giulius7176]

I really like the realistic look you achieved......Well worth the time and effort!

[@daviemaclean61]

Ho hum! Just another ballasting video. NO - not when Richard is involved! Very interesting and informative and a great final (for now) effect. Cheers

[@murrayhall908]

Another marvelous piece of work. Just what we have come to expect from you. No need to say "Keep up the great work" as you always do!!!! Cheers

[@IamRobotMonkey]

Watching all the dust come off the ballast in the water reminds me of when I had to "muck out" the fish I used to have. Bleurgh!! Great viewing and work as usual mate.

[@EverardJunction]

My fish are due a water change soon. Amazing how much mess they make!

[@IamRobotMonkey]

With some (okay, all!) of the shots I keep having to remind myself I'm looking at a model. Awesome stuff, truly.

[@christopherkingsland4604]

Great looking colour effects!

[@andrewstevenson5449]

Great work. Looks fantastic. You need a sheet of weathered grass mat or something as a temporary fix for filming where you've not done scenery on the far side of the tracks! When I had a layout, I hated ballasting and explored a few other options when we replaced the Peco self-destructing foam underlays that we'd initially used in the late 60s on the main lines. Fleischmann Profi track was nice and easy, but looked completely dreadful: I think it was Code 100, but looked about Code 120. What we went for in the end was a Merkur (the same company that did the stone retaining walls you had on your old layout) inlay for tracks in the distance, and then hand ballasting in the foreground using N gauge ballast for HO. One thing it took us around 25 years to get round to, but which made a huge difference to the whole layout, was ballasting and weathering the fiddle yard, which then became part of the layout.

[@darrenhillman8396]

Excellent attention to detail, Richard. Looks real! Something to consider on your jointed track (where there are 60ft lengths rather than long-welded or CWR as its known) you could add one or two areas of “voiding” / “wet spots”, where the ballast formation has degraded and wet clay has formed under the sleepers either side of the joint which is then being pumped up and through the ballast with the passage of trains - each wheel hammering the rail ends and forcing liquid clay upwards. And you can have a PW team in attendance to dig out the affected sleeper “bays” to add gravel and do some remedial work. With a temporary speed restriction for “track condition”....! I worked on the railway in the S&T department for 41 and a half years so speak from experience. Just a small point but your lineside trunking is actually called troughing and contains cables, not wires. “Relay boxes” are actually called location cases. Colour of new ballast usually depended on which quarry is was supplied from. Scottish ballast was sometimes pink, but didn’t stay that way for more than a few months, unless it was on a pure AC traction area. I like the way you are experimenting with different grades of ballast, and track colouring too. Remember some older locations will have had ash ballast, but quite how you replicate this in 4mm I don’t know! Keep up the great work and high standards. 👍🏻

[@grahamwillox]

Ace. Impressed beyond belief

[@robsiddall9731]

New sub , your attention to detail is second to none

[@bobwestwood7824]

Fantastic videos Richard really inspirational. Please keep up the great work thank you so much.

[@trickymc2299]

Relay boxes? Lol, Location Cabinets, or Locs as general term, but then I’ve worked for the S&T for 30 odd years now in South Wales, lol, probably called different terms throughout the country. need to add a bit of sleeper grime on the rail side of the staging and locs too,absolutely fantastic video again love watching brilliant work, maybe you could get someone to 3d print a grease pot for you?

[@angrycat3525]

I have watched several episodes so far, and there are times when I cannot easily discern the actual research footage from that of the completed portions of the layout (or at least that MY eyes think is completed - I'm frequently wrong) - your work, for want of a better word, is AMAZING! I could easily see footage of the miniature being used as exteriors in a motion picture, and if you haven't been contacted for such work, it's their loss.

[@martinpook5707]

Very enjoyable video, the ballast and weathering are wonderful

[@BearwoodWestYard]

Brilliant video. Just to point out, the rail greaser is actually for rolling stock and not the rail. It reduces friction on the flanges, extending the life of the wheelset before it needs to go on a wheel lathe :). A wet oil effect would look good as it is lubrication oil

[@ausfoodgarden]

Fantastic as usual, I wasn't convinced on the big differences in the ballast before the weathering but a great result. On my test layout I used a mix of Woodland scenics mixed grey and added more or less cinders to the mix to get a varied result. and relied on the weathering to get some brown tones in there, but you've convinced me to go and buy myself some brown ballast to add to the mix for my new test layout. I hope I can get mine looking half as good as yours does.

[@cinqueportcentral1602]

I like how you get that pinkish/brown colouration in the ballast that you see on the real tracks (if you see what i mean)especially the granite ballast chippings that have that pinkish flush in it. Loved the video, excellent.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Morning Richard. Just watched your latest video and what a credit it to your hard work 👍🏻 The spring clip us called a (Pandrol) 😃 Love that the relay box had fallen over while ballasting your track lol 😆 Then you removed them 😆 Great work and keep the updates coming. Thanks Stevie 😎

[@redwoodsquirrel432]

Great video as always. Who on earth is giving you a thumbs down, the title is 'Ballasting' and that's exactly what you did, and extremely well. The layout looks brilliant😊👍

[@cedarcam]

The track weathering looks excellent. One of the best I have seen. I am pleased to see you got your point machines placed correctly and added more locations. Looks like there are enough to work the junction now. In some places the inner rail gets a lot more oil spill than the outer on sharp curves because fuel has poured out of locos due to the track cant. Also at a signal where trains often stand the track is generally darker. The sleepers could of been left covered on the ends as you have seen in your photos. They are often left like that on curves to reduce the chance of a track buckle, so not always because the ballast has been topped up. I like the sound of the trains going over joints. Very realistic My own layout has some wide rail gaps as well for that reason.

[@Gus-jb8cm]

Another great video Richard. I never went into this much detail on my first 3 layouts, it was years ago. ('78 to '94) its one thing I will learn once I get motivated into my next layout.

[@TheDrumvader]

25:30 They're called pandrel clips. On bullhead rail you will have chairs and keys. Great video

[@philippevandenberch6044]

Awaiting the next video with impatience. Congratulations, it's beautiful.

[@HydeTMD]

Wow Richard once again you have amazed me with your layout and the great ideas you have, cant wait for the next vid, Cheers Craig👍.

[@carlettbrook9809]

Fantastic video as always, but the best I have ever seen on ballasting. Inspirational as always, thank you Richard.

[@jazzman1626]

On my recent trip to York railway museum, I took a photo of the track at Edinburgh Waverley so that I could study it later. I count roughly ten pieces of ballast width between each sleeper. Well, it passed some time waiting for the train lol.

[@henrybn14ar]

Remarkable realism.

[@sparky107107]

lots of variety in color. wow. woodland scenics is crushed walnut shells. i have done some ballasting on my layout, and i tend to agree, fine is better. nice job.

[@Wilayaat]

Incredible level of attention, eye to detail and no little skill! I've just started out in model railways but if the layout ends up even as half as good as this I will be a very happy man - and you definitely can't beat the clickety-clack noise!

[@leilacentral1883]

Excellent intro! A lot of the shots I could swear were of the real thing! Ballasting will be one of the last things to do when I get around to doing my track detailing. The sample piece with the tracks and different colours I particularly liked looking. Great video as always. All the best Clint

[@andrewdickenson7611]

Great job, looking forward to the next update........

[@JamesPetts]

This is impressive. It is interesting that it does not look so good before airbrushing, but looks excellent afterwards. The painted rail sides really do work. How do you stop the airbrush spray getting all over the backscene? Also, I wonder whether there ought to be a fence at the end of the road where it opens into the canal - one wouldn't want Dean or Barry not braking in time and ending up with their cars in the water.

[@JamesPetts]

Also - have you any views on the technique of using powdered glue mixed in with the ballast and then just spraying plain water over it afterwards?