Scratchbuild
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#237365
(In Topic #13132)
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Walkways
Hi All. Even train staff, are not expected to “crunch ballast “ as they walk to prepare , or from the depot, after disposal, of their trains. So how can I Scratchbuild a footpath beside the tracks on my layout??? Any advice would be welcome . Best wishes . KevinLast edit: by Passed Driver
Staying on the thread Kevin.
Posted
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However, in steam days ballast around a shed was often covered with, mixed with, or made of ash from the locomotives.
Today there may be a concrete path. unless for some reason it has to be raised, then to day it would be a metal grating in the past it would be wood.
For a ground level path for both ash and concrete I would use pollyfilla, suitably painted, but the ash would have something slightly grainy added on top.
For a wooden raised path then plasticard scribed or bought embossed. For Metal gratings then your only choice is some etched brass
Now I've finally started a model railway…I've inherited another…
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Staying on the thread Kevin.
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N-scale cinders or ballast are too big for walkways, and fine sand looks terrible. Put N-scale cinders or ballast in a herb chopper or coffee grinder, and give it a whizz for 15-20 seconds or so. Paint desired path with white glue/IPA/water (75/10/15 by volume), sprinkle ground-up ballast on top, leave to set. The alcohol pulls the PVA up by capillary action and evaporation. Mist with water/IPA if desired to help things along. Avoid washing up liquid, if you must use it unscented and cheap is best. Otherwise your layout will smell of spring garland or summer glory for months. Learned this off Brossard.
Nigel
©Nigel C. Phillips
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Staying on the thread Kevin.
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Have a look at the thread on the St Agnes. There is a waste material that you should be able to get at a picture framers that Foam Core sheets come separated by and my local picture framer is more than happy to give it to local modellers. It cannot be recycled any other way and will wind up in land fill.
It is literally a wafer thin foam sheet that can be easily cut with scissors and has a texture like a rough concrete path but not the rough texture of ground down ground ballast, particularly for N scale.
I used it for the decking of my station platforms as well as concrete between rails in my engine depot area. The cost was right so all I have to do is paint it… which I will get on and do. If you want, I can take a pic or two to show you the stuff.
In the past I have tried to recycle foam cups n HO which in small interlocking pieces glued flat looks very representative of cobblestone but for N I think it would look too thick.
Anyway, my two cents/pennies/rupees/lira/whatever worth!
Regards
Trevor
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