I have finally reached the point where I am ready to ballast my yard track. I will be using Crusher fines (screenings) for the entire yard. I have built a raised edge around the entire 4X32 "deck" to keep the ballast from falling off the edge. None of the track is nailed or screwed down, and I only used Hillman clamps on the switches so if I have to remove them for any reason, it will not be a total wipe out. I will be posting a series of pictures when this project is completed. My question this time has to deal with spreading ballast around switches. Are there any secrets? Is there anything I need to know about ballast in the area of the points and linkage? Any pitfalls I should avoid? As you can tell, I want to make sure that I do this so that I have a minimum amount of problems. I have already run the Aristo RS3 that I converted to Battery operation with the RCS system over the entire 200' of track, and it works great. Thank you for your help.
What I usually do is just take a small garden shovel and apply the ballast a little at a time, in switches at least. I wouldn't say there are any secrets, more just common sense. Keep ballast out of the frog, points, and guard rails. If not, that will give you operational headaches. And a couple pieces always seem to go where they are unwanted. Usually a small flathead screwdriver is enough to take them out. Basically just take your time and work around the problem areas. Good luck!
In doors or out I would double check all the connections under the Aristo turnouts. Older models used to come apart. I use chicken grit everywhere but I use very little, if any, under the turnouts. They're naked from the points to the frogs. No one will really notice and if they do they won't care.
