Ballast size help

[upnick]

Hi All,

I am looking at my ballast tubs here and have mainly medium sizes of WS stuff grey/brown/buff i bought these for N scale but want to know what sizes of ballast you use for HO ....... as i have tried a section beside the repair shop and it looks a bit small between the ties, also what colour of ballast would fit in with the switcher layout as it is really a busy yard.

[mountaingoatgreg]

I prefer to use a smaller ballast either fine or N-Scale being as its more realistic in size. Most ballast is smaller then 2" For a busy yard it going to depend on if its a new yard or an older busy yard i would suggest a mix of browns, grays and maybe even black. A modern yard will have clean ballast which will resemble the mainline. A yard that is around 10 years old will begin to show signs of aging with piles of spilled comodoties in between the track. There will also be some vegetation growing in the ditches and probably on the tracks less used. If you would like I can try and snap some pictures of some yards in the area I work?

[upnick]

Hi Greg,

Some snaps would be great if you have the time please any references are most welcome.