I just posted an article on making a flanger card - this helps spread the ballast as well as clean out rocks and debris from frogs and points.
http://www.largescalecentral.com/articles/149/flanger-card
It is easy to make - takes about 5 minutes. I just made my second one as I lost the first one.
Bruce Chandler said:
It is easy to make - takes about 5 minutes. I just made my second one as I lost the first one.
Good thing…
Now ya need to punch a hole in it and tie a loop of string though it so you can hang it around your neck…
Thought you gave up on ballast?
Quick and easy is always nice.
Bob McCown said:
Thought you gave up on ballast?
Yep, not much ballast left on the railroad…but I’m using dirt now…and it has to be cleaned from the track as well. Plus, there’s always something in the points or frogs of my switches. Very handy still.
Good idea, but my knees complain if bend over or kneel a lot, so I use a BIG paintbrush - a straw broom 
I no longer ballast under the moving point portion of my switches and clean them out with a high pressure spray from the hose.
Still need to clear the frogs and flange-ways though.
Looks good, though, Bruce.
Ok, I like anything that helps with ballasting!
What else do you do with the Sintra? Is it good for buildings?? Never used it.
Its great for buildings. Check out my Freight Transfer thread http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/14139/2011-challenge-harlem-transfer/view/post_id/139474