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 Posted - May 29 2018 : 5:01:46 PM
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Has anyone used kitty litter for ballast on there railroad tracks, and if so what kind?
Yardmaster 54
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Posted - May 29 2018 : 8:28:33 PM
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Hmmm, that sounds like something out of the 1930's for O27.
Sounds interesting, if I were to do it, and I really, really hate
working with ballast, going to the dentist and getting my
face drilled is more amusing, I'd use a cheap, clay based
kitty litter.
I am reminded of an early Model Railroad article, from the
very early days, in where it was recommended to use
asbestos for snow effects. Or the O27 guy who liked
to apply real sand to his tracks to help them up the hill.
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Posted - May 29 2018 : 10:49:23 PM
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Hmm, kitty litter is based on clay, usually, and prone to dust production. I don't think I'd use it ( even though I have 4 cats at home LOL! ) And wetting it to glue it down, it would turn more to a mud, not sure. I suppose a trail application to a diorama section of track to explore the idea. Usually the size is too big for HO, probably work better with O gauge.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - May 30 2018 : 1:32:56 PM
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| After soaking with glue water, would dust still be an issue?
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Posted - May 31 2018 : 12:48:34 PM
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I used cheap, clay based kitty litter as ballast for a number of years. Never again if I have any other option. The chunks are too big for HO, and, when glued down, forms a nigh impermeable crust. If you do choose to remove it, you'll be miserable from dust inhalation.
Been there. Done that.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/weekendrailroader?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase
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Posted - June 02 2018 : 5:50:51 PM
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I found a kitty litter that is the same size as woodland scenics course ballast. It looks good on the track. The only draw back is it tends to clump. Going to try a different way of applying the glue. As far as dust, there shouldn't be any as long as you don't disturb the kitter litter. There is clump less kitty litter but it usually has deodorized crystals in it that are blue or green. My co conspirator and I will try different methods tomorrow.
Yardmaster 54
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Posted - June 25 2018 : 6:28:46 PM
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I glued the kitty litter to the road bed outside of the rails by putting glue on the roadbed first and then putting the kitty litter on next. Then I laid kitty litter down between the rails without gluing it. It seems to work. Sorry no pics, my camera is not working. Will post pics when I can.
Yardmaster 54
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Posted - June 25 2018 : 9:40:53 PM
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Now you've got my attention. Look forward to those pics. I am
trying to find a quick and cheap method of ballasting, which
I look forward to like a dental visit. My latest scheme is
to spray WS foam road bed with textured paint and see
how that comes out. Means pulling up track and laying it
down again, but then I'd have to do that anyways.
https://youtu.be/Z_vmc-NSyLU
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Posted - June 25 2018 : 11:41:42 PM
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I usually ballast with sand swept up from the road gutter in front of the house. Its assorted particle sizes have more gluing surface than uniform sand grains. I put it between the ties and brush it to the shape I want and then dribble diluted Elmer's carpenter's glue on it. I add either a trace of alcohol or dish soap to speed the absorption of the glue into the sand. The dilution is about 5 parts water to one part glue.
The carpenter's glue/sand composite can be loosened up by wetting it again and then removed with a putty knife. It's important to keep the glue out of moving parts and anything that serves as an electrical contact. (Don't ask me how I know this.  )
It doesn't take long to get the hang of this.
Carpe Manana!
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