Dear All,

 

I'm just about going to start to ballast my OO layout and I'm looking for a good supplier of ballast in Australia.

 

I need a fair bit of it and think it would be to expensive to import it from UK, I have also heard of custom issues.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Regards

 

Charles Wilson

Sydney Australia

Sounds like you have the same issues as me Charles.
Will need heaps for my layout.
Next month here in Adelaide we are having our annual Model Railway Exhibition (June long weekend).
Normally there are plenty of Tradies displaying their wears, so I was waiting to see who has what and in descent quantities to suit my requirements. Will pass on any info I find for you.
Also searching the web and seeing what others use in the way of sand, gravel or the like. Never know what you may find. I haven't started this search myself as yet but in on the list..
But have heard that "N" Gauge ballast works well on HO/OO track. Please correct me if I am wrong with that statement…..
 

I used to buy ballast form Tom's Hobbies shop in Ryde but haven't needed any for many years.  That will chnage soon as my new layout is almost at the landscaping stage.
In regard to N scale ballast that was recommended to me last time and it worked.

My new extension will be more prototypical than the rest of the layout as I will be using genuine Meldon Quarry granite, in exceedingly fine grain for N gauge, they also do less fine and coarse grain as well. Found it on Ebay.

In Sydney, Casula Hobbies in Liverpool have Woodlands Scenics ballast;
I have used this Aussie one as well
http://www.chucksballast.com.au/

http://www.queenslandscalemodels.com.au/chucksballast.aspx

[user=606]Sol[/user] wrote:

In Sydney, Casula Hobbies in Liverpool have Woodlands Scenics ballast;

I have used this Aussie one as well

http://www.chucksballast.com.au/



http://www.queenslandscalemodels.com.au/chucksballast.aspx

Thanks SOL, now just have to choose what colour to get out of the 14 they have on offer
Decision's, decision's….

Alan, try the local shops first. This saves postage & Chuck's ballast will be costly via post.

[user=606]Sol[/user] wrote:

Alan, try the local shops first. This saves postage & Chuck's ballast will be costly via post.

Mate was meant as a joke, not a good one hey.
Anyway I do understand mate, like I said will await till next month and do a cruise around the Tradies Stands at the exhibition.
Junction and Orient Express sell Woodland Scenic stuff and other brands so plenty to be had…… 
 
 

I use a mixture of ballast from different sources and of different colours. Likewise, I mix the grades as well, with N scale ballast going on top of coarser grades.

Real granite chippings tend to look too dark on a model but work well if sprinkled over a lighter ballast colour. If you look at the real thing, the ballast does vary depending on age, location and original source anyway, so even a sharp change in colour on the model may be prototypical, where new/newer ballast has been laid adjacent to old.

I have recently been using the Woodland Scenics larger dispenser 'bottles' but mixing in ballast from Chucks and various others I have bought over the years.

G'day Charles,

I would agree with the use of Chuck's Ballast and especially the N gauge ballast. Very good product as I have used the odd kg or so of 'Martins Creek' on previous NSWGR layouts.

If you purchase thru Toms Hobbies (now Bob's Hobbies), let them know how much you require and they may provide a small discount, especially if you require a few jars ; http://www.tomshobbies.com.au/ 

No connection to the shop, just one happy customer !

Joe down at Casula definately stocks it as I was there not long ago ; http://www.casulahobbies.com.au/catalog/

There is a Model Railway Exhibtion coming up on the long weekend at The Brick Pit Stadium, Thornleigh. http://www.eppingmodelrailway.org.au/exhibition.html  Quite a few traders at the exhibition and you may just be able to pick up a bargain or atleast bargain with them !

Cheers, Gary.

 

[user=878]Gary[/user] wrote:

There is a Model Railway Exhibtion coming up on the long weekend at The Brick Pit Stadium, Thornleigh. http://www.eppingmodelrailway.org.au/exhibition.html  Quite a few traders at the exhibition and you may just be able to pick up a bargain or atleast bargain with them !

Cheers, Gary.

 

Thanks for the reminder Gary :thumbs

Dear All,

 

Thank you for the helpful replies, now for that elusive colour.

 

Best wishes

 

 

Charles Wilson