Weathering model railway track ballast NO PAINTS, NO AIRBRUSH!

Simple and quick ballast weathering for your model railway that will transform dull ballast.
Used in this were simply two shades of
weathering powders and two brushes.
I've decided against using any varnish or other fix as the powder sticks very well to the (dry) ballast if worked in properly.
Consider buying me a coffee, this to help me film more of this nonsense 👇
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#asmr #dccsound #railway #modelrailway #scenery #modelling #ballasting #trains #relaxing #weathering

[@Danthehorse]

Great tutorial. Straight to the point and on with it, without all the hot air . 👍

[@pezza_trains]

Thank you 🙂👍

[@geoffreydownes7591]

I've been putting off weathering my track for ages (couldn't be bothered getting the paints out) but now I am looking forward to finishing it, such an obvious method, thanks.

[@Eclipse1988]

Looks legit! Would be especially good in yard scenes where cars and locomotives are constantly sitting or going over slowly back and fourth every day!

[@dannyvanstraelen3273]

Your a man after my hart, an exquisite weathering tutorial with instant result. And seeing you apply the brown, next to there where the rails are, is 100% correct although I found it a bit to wide spread to the outside, and I explain why. The reason you have this brown right next to the rail, is not corrosion coming of the rail, that's just minimum, but these are iron partikels coming from the break shoes of all rolling stock. Even with new rolling stock with has synthetic break shoes, it still contains iron. And because the break shoes hang more to the inside between rails, makes it more logical, not to go to far to the outside. So a good tip, increase this effect before points and juctions… where a lot of breaking is going on, junctions stations, infant of signals

[@jkirk888]

I have watched loads of track weathering videos and they all seemed like a lot of very hard work! This is genius simple and looks great, well done.

[@vikingofengland]

Great idea over trying to use paint 👍🏻

[@Mrruneight]

This is a great idea. Thank You for sharing this as now I know how I'm going to do the ground cover in my Yard. Thank You!

[@pezza_trains]

Let us know how you get on 🙂

[@leefeller1745]

I did this and it worked perfect thanks for the video

[@pezza_trains]

That genuinely makes me happy, that my video has been of use 🙂

[@086DEN]

That's exactly what I wanted to see, thanks lad.

[@pezza_trains]

No problem 👍

[@GrillMaster-y5x]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

[@modelrailfan37]

Looks good! I got really confused when I read the title as I was trying to convince myself that you would need paint to weather track, as for some reason I always think of paint and weathering powder as the same thing. Don’t ask me why 😂

[@batatbatat]

Perfect! Thank you for an idea!

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

I dont generally like powders but that effect looks very good1

[@valchavez9163]

Wow...that is cool....

[@Shelfandtabletoplayouts00gauge]

Thanks a lot for the inspiration Pezza, I’m working on something atm and this has given me a kick! Looks fantastic, glad you’re getting your layout finished All the best, Darren 👋

[@pezza_trains]

Cheers Darren. Same here, hadn't touched the layout for ages but just had a long weekend off and cracked on with it. Take care

[@JumbleLane]

I must say the effect is very good and depending on how much you apply would determine the extent of weathering. However, weathering powders are not cheap and it seems you would use quite a lot and at the end loose particles are sucked up the vacuum. For those who have not got an airbrush it’s a great idea and even so you may not want to use an airbrush if you cannot prevent overspray from ruining something close by. I have used an airbrush myself but will give this a go. Regards, Geoff

[@pezza_trains]

I suppose you weigh up the cost v ease, though you can pick up weathering sets relatively cheap now, or use other pigments.

[@apmazurka]

Very Nice!!!

[@Michael-t3b5b]

Mainline ballast was often the color shown as the “before” in this video. At least in the northeast US where I grew up. Weathering the track and adding some grim and oil on the center of the ties makes a big difference

[@going2thedogs]

Impressive!

[@pezza_trains]

Thanks 🙂

[@saltspringrailway3683]

Excellent, just what I need to do to my clean ballast. Why do most of us forget to colour the buffers which are probably made of rails and shouldn't be left PECO plastic black?

[@pezza_trains]

That's my next job 😉

[@saltspringrailway3683]

If you click my logo you can view my efforts which I run as a tourist attraction in Canada.

[@pezza_trains]

@@saltspringrailway3683 I will have a look later 🙂

[@beeble2003]

The part between the tracks looks great. But look again at 0:15 and 0:40 -- ballast in the UK is generally granite, which is grey. You don't see all that brown.

[@pezza_trains]

The brown is grime from brake dust etc, though the ballast in it's pure state is grey, once a few hundred trains have passed over the red/brown colour from brake dust takes over 🙂, the scene you noticed is on a preserved railway predominantly using steam traction so there is a lot more of a black colour. But in general if you look around the main network you see the brownish colour.

[@maidsandmuses]

@@pezza_trains It is not just break dust; the rail head is rusting continuously. The top surface of frequently used rails may _look_ shiny but there is a very thin film of iron oxide that builds quickly. This oxide layer is not visible to the eye until it builds up enough on rails that haven't been used for weeks on end. Every time a train passes the wheels crush this thin invisible oxide layer and the brown dust is blow onto the ballast and rail foot & web where it will become noticeable eventually after a few months/years. Exceptions are tracks that mainly carry dusty loads of one particular type in hoppers such as gypsum, cement, coal etc. in which case the ballast ends up the colour of the material transported, mixed with red iron oxide. All great opportunities for realistic weathering for local private mining railroad operations etc. Rail & ballast colour also has significant local variation depending on the position of equipment like automatic flange lubricators etc.

[@SGS233]

Bon journo! You say the weathering powder sticks well to the dry ballast and will withstand the “Hoover” and remain in place? It is great not to deal with fixatives, as it obviates the need to clean the rails and avoids that schnitt getting into contact points and gumming up moving parts.

[@pezza_trains]

Yes, even now, 12 months on, the "grime" is well and truly stuck in place

[@flagman515]

Very impressive sir! What a great effect without the messy clean up from painting. Can you "hoover" with a "shark"? 😁

[@pezza_trains]

Well, that's debatable, the Shark is probably the most overrated piece of equipment known to man 🤣

[@PennsyRailroad]

Please do a video on ballasting - especially at the ThrowBar.

[@pezza_trains]

I may well do at some point 🙂

[@chickenbites8877]

I’m going to use chalk pastels I think, I’m skilled with an airbrush but I’ve laid down so much greenery in and around the track, I’m pretty sure spraying would ruin it.

[@pezza_trains]

Likewise, I can use an airbrush (won't say I'm skilled though) but this method is just easier and cheaper with a bit less mess.

[@chickenbites8877]

@@pezza_trainsI I may add a drop of scenics cement over the top of the chalk, its all over my layout already so I dont think it would hurt!

[@richardbraham2486]

Does any of it get stuck on loco wheels or other moving parts?

[@pezza_trains]

@@richardbraham2486 nope, if you hoover off the excess before running trains then it seems fine

[@michaelramsey82]

Amazing! I might do this in O scale. Does the powder cause any problems with switch points?

[@pezza_trains]

It hasn't for me, obviously give all the moving parts a good clean after

[@tomtative]

Amazing! My ballast is far too clean! Out of interest, what length of track does a pot cover? I'm not sure how many to buy

[@pezza_trains]

I did my whole layout, 6x4 double track with sidings, with about 1/3 pot

[@tomtative]

​@@pezza_trainsSuper! Thanks so much

[@tomtative]

​@@pezza_trains I used exactly your method and did it to my entire layout today! You've really helped me achieve some needed realism

[@pezza_trains]

That's really made my day, so glad I've been of inspiration 🙂

[@bruceboyer8187]

XLNt. Im buying chalk!😊

[@TRENISCALA1.87]

🔝😉🖒

[@weinser7278]

Where are the rocks from, nice work

[@pezza_trains]

Woodland Scenics I think

[@CWLifts]

Looks good, what track are you using, and what colour did you paint the sleepers? And finally what ballast did you use. Many thanks for reading.

[@pezza_trains]

Hi, I used Peco streamline finescale code 75 track, I would have used the newer Peco Bullhead type rail had it been available at the time though, the ballast is a mixture of medium and fine bog standard stuff, believe it or not, the sleepers aren't painted!

[@CWLifts]

Thanks for the quick reply, did you get your ballast from hattons? Seems like one of the most popular places for it.

[@pezza_trains]

@@CWLifts I can't remember if I'm honest, I think eBay!

[@CWLifts]

Fair enough, do you have links to the weathering powders?

[@pezza_trains]

@@CWLifts they're standard Humbrol/Revell, one is soot black and the other is earth brown, available from most places, I think mine came from eBay.

[@sambear6593]

At the end of this video, did you run quickly over the tracks a vacuum or heat gun?

[@pezza_trains]

Hi, I used a vacuum cleaner, just to get off any excess. As you can see, even after using the vacuum, most of it stays on.

[@billjacon4527]

Curious what brand powders you use?

[@pezza_trains]

@@billjacon4527 they're Revell

[@billjacon4527]

Thank you!

[@ascho1974]

Can I ask what ballast you used?

[@pezza_trains]

@@ascho1974 hi, it was woodland scenics, I think fine grade

[@andrewbritto7869]

Thanks for this! Do you seal this in at all after with Matt spray?

[@pezza_trains]

Hi, no, though you could do if you wished, but I left as is and it's pretty engrained in there

[@rickycwakingthemasses5791]

What ballast is that you used ? Please

[@pezza_trains]

@@rickycwakingthemasses5791 pretty sure it was woodland scenics

[@rickycwakingthemasses5791]

@@pezza_trainsthank you

[@Kamasaki286]

If you have a model railroad/rc car/static model hobby get an airbrush and the world will be a better place for everyone.

[@pezza_trains]

I'd disagree, I've got an airbrush but wouldn't use it for this.

[@dhouse-d5l]

If its powder how come the hoover doesnt remove it all?

[@pezza_trains]

The brush works it into the gaps on the ballast, as per the real thing, leaving just the right amount.

[@dhouse-d5l]

@@pezza_trains Thanks..

[@beeble2003]

It's sticky powder.

[@alanfbrookes9771]

Couldn't you just use poster paint that you can buy in powder form?

[@pezza_trains]

Possibly if you get the right colour, I've never tried lol

[@nyccrcsx]

The brown looks like a liquid in the bottle

[@pezza_trains]

Definitely powder! 🙂

[@rickycwakingthemasses5791]

What paints did you use please?

[@pezza_trains]

Hi, used Revell soot black weathering powder and Humbrol dark earth weathering powder.

[@rickycwakingthemasses5791]

@@pezza_trains Thanks so much

[@brianroberts6751]

Just checked other replies and answered my question!