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How much ballast do I need for my model railway?

Trying to figure out how much ballast you need to cover your layout is an interesting battle and one you will probably lose!
Some manufacturers do give an approximate track coverage on their bags or tubs of ballast, which is both useful and appreciated, but others err on the side of caution by simply stating how much ballast is contained within their packet, whether that be a cubic measurement or a weight.
The reason for this is that there are so many variables to consider when ballasting track that it would be nearly impossible to come up with a formula to commit a particular bag or tub of ballast to a coverage measurement. Gauge and the size of track shoulders are two of the main factors that determine how far ballast will go as well as individual modeller preferences concerning the depth of their ballast. A track that is raised on a cork bed, for example, will require deeper shoulders while mainlines and sidings may require wider shoulders and so on.

Of course, none of this helps a modeller in a shop trying to decide whether to buy one tub or two for their layout, and shops will never be able to predict an individual's ballasting techniques or design requirements, but maybe you can scale down the problem. Instead of trying to visualise or work out how many tubs or bags will cover an entire layout, consider that a regular coffee mug full of ballast will cover around 3-metres of OO gauge track or 6-metres of N gauge track with a moderate shoulder. Granted, that still doesn't take into account modelling techniques or larger shoulders, but at least you have a chance of visualising how many coffee cups of ballast there are in a bag or tub, which is a lot easier than guessing how many bags or tubs will cover a loft!

Posted in: Tracks

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