Ballasting Track

I have started the scenery on the layout, beginning with track ballasting.  I am starting with ballasting because the Durango Yard was covered in cinders, and it made sense to do the ballasting and the ground cover in the yard at the same time, since it used the same materials.  I started by using sanded tile grout, but completed the project with two products from Scenic Express (http://www.sceneryexpress.com):  Light Cinder Blend (fine), and #50 Dark Gray Ballast.  I used the #50 Dark Gray Ballast for the majority of the yard, with a light uneven application of the Light Cinder Blend for variation.  These products are easy to install, and provided the gray ballast color that I wanted.  All of the ballast was secured using diluted Matte Medium, which I diluted at a ratio of 1 part Matte Medium to 4 parts water.  I used a few drop of Jet Dry (available in the grocery store in the dishwasher soap aisle) as a surfactant, reducing the surface tension of the diluted Matte Medium and allowing it to penetrate the ballast and cinders.

Once the ballast dried, I cleaned the track thoroughly using a steel bristle brush.  I am using Code 55 Flex Track, and the rails need to be very clean with no particles of ballast adhering to the web of the rail.  The steel bristle brush made quick work of cleaning the sides of the rails, and also removed any ballast grains that found their way to the tops of the ties.  Once the track was scrubbed clean to my satisfaction, I then used a track cleaning block to polish the tops of the rails.  All turnouts were thoroughly cleaned to ensure that they moved freely.  I found that the Matte Medium did glue some turnouts in place, but it was easy to free them up mechanically.  I then test ran all freshly ballasted track using my Galloping Goose #7, because it is very sensitive to interruptions in track power.  The countryside adjacent to the yard area has been sceniced using tile grout, ground granite (from drilling my well), and various ground foams.  This scenery will be modified as the Durango area is filled with structures, but at least it looks better with scenery!

Astute viewers will note a change in the track arrangement to the left.  I made a compromise with the track connecting to the Rio Grande Southern.  This track serves as both a connection to the D&RGW eastbound and the westbound RGS.  Yes, a willing suspension of disbelief is required.  Because of this compromise, the track grade climbs, as per the D&RGW, rather than descends, as did the RGS.  I chose to do this because it allowed a more visual separation of the two tracks in the yard.  Just another compromise that we modellers must make!

Also, I have installed the Durango Water tank (a Durango Press [JL Innovative Design] kit), the Durango Sand House (Campbell Scale Models), and Handcar Shed (also Durango Press).  These remain to be 'dirted in' using the cinders and vegetation.

An overview of the Durango Yard.  The water tank, ashpit, coaling tower, turntable, and roundhouse are permanently installed, and ground cover has been applied to the surrounding area.

 

Rio Grande Southern K-27 461 taking water at the Durango water tower.  The yard has been ballasted, and the surrounding countryside has been sceniced.  All track has been scrubbed clean with a steel bristle brush.

D&RGW K-28 476 is being coaled at the Durango coaling tower.

D&RGW K-28 476 has just finished receiving its load of coal in Durango.

Rio Grande Southern 461 is preparing to leave Durango following being watered.

RGS K-27 461 leaves Durango, traveling light.

Wiring with DCC

As with the previous layout, this layout will be controlled using NCE DCC (http://www.ncedcc.com).  When I dismantled the previous layout, I retained all electronic components.  This was a huge time- and cost-saving measure, and allowed me to get trains running quickly.  Once the track was installed in the Durango Yard and the Silverton Branch, I installed 14 gauge stranded bus wires for what will be District One and for the reverse loop.  I color coded the wiring for future troubleshooting, using red and black stranded buses for the District One wiring, and green and white 12 gauge stranded wire (because I had this on hand) for the reverse section.  I then dropped 22 gauge stranded feeder wires from every length of rail to the appropriate bus wires.  The reverse section was gapped on both rails at each end to completely isolate it.  The reverse section was connected to a DCC Specialties (http://www.dccspecialties.com) OG-AR auto reverse unit, and District One was powered via a DCC Specialties PSX-4 circuit breaker.  Details about wiring the previous layout, which are applicable to this layout, can be found at this link:  DCC for the D&RGW.

I added a control bus to the layout, even though the layout will be controlled via radio controlled throttles to provide a backup in the event the batteries fail, or more operators are present than radio throttles.