I'm unsure if this is the right area for this topic. On the GD&R I have multiple areas of hidden track. The track is flex track on both cork and foam roadbed. I'm asking for the opinion of the Train Board members as if I should ballast those areas. I have the ballast and the needed supplies to do it and can get to all of it for the most part. Again, I want your thoughts as to if I should or should not ballast it. Please just don't say Yes or no or maybe, but also give a reason for your opinion. Doing that will also help others as well as myself. Thanks, Gary
Not sure if I am qualified to answer since I do not have hidden tracks (yet) but still have some thoughts on the topic. Reasons NOT to ballast: 1. Can't see it 2. Ballast pieces might dislodge and cause issues if on the rails 3. Ballasted track is harder to keep clean (?) 4. Ballasting may be your least favorite task 5. "It's my railroad and I don't want to ballast there" Reasons TO ballast: 1. Prototype tunnel tracks are ballasted and these are similar 2. Would look much better if you plan to cab-view film your layout 3. You like to ballast and have no other priority projects lined up 4. "It's my railroad and I want to ballast there"
I will be doing 'semi-flat' buildings positioned against the wall. The backs are blank. If I ever ballast my track it ill only be in the more forward areas where viewers / friends / family will see it. Hope this helps.
I’m fairly new to model railroading, but if it’s hidden track I probably wouldn’t cork it or ballast it. No reason to spend the extra time and money on something you can’t see.
I wouldn’t in totally hidden sections. I’m too lazy. But ballast some of it as it enters the area to give the illusion.
When you glue the ballast, you also glue the track, which is good, but you can glue the track without putting down ballast as well. I my case, I have over 300 ft of hidden track........a 35 ft. return loop to provide continuous running, a 50ft ramp leading down to my staging yard, and 228 ft of staging yard (6 tracks 38ft long).......that's a lot of work (and material) for track noone but me will see. It's the same reason I don't detail unseen parts of buildings.
No ballast in hidden areas, there's no reason for it aside from the visual aspect provided the track is already secured down on the roadbed. But if you have a tunnel portal or something leading into the hidden area, you absolutely should ballast as far as the eye can see. Of course, if you have a few bags of leftover ballast you need to use up and not go to waste, feel free to use it.
I would not ballast hidden track. I only have so much time to spend on the layout and I’d rather spend that time on parts of the layout that can be seen. Ballasting track that will never be seen takes time away from projects that can be seen.
Hi everyone, Thanks for replying. You have given me all the same reasons NOT to ballast the hidden areas that have been floating around my old head that have kept me from not doing it. I don't mind ballasting, but I didn't see why to do it like you all have noted when it is not seen. All of the track has been down for many years being held in place with track nails where I have not ballasted already. I had not thought about gluing the hidden area. That is something else for me to think about. Again, thanks for the reinforcement NOT to ballast it. Gary
If the track has been down that long with no issues, I'd leave it alone........why fix it if it ain't broke.
I wouldn't ballast track that is not part of the modeled layout; the comment earlier about a cab-view video makes it worth pointing out that painting that track as you would for the modeled layout is wise for this reason. Painted track looks more realistic, and can hide the lack of ballast in hidden sections.
