The snow has an advantage. Now you can get the napkins out and start figuring all the tinkering you’ll be doing. And letting that ground get compacted.
I think its time to bring this thread back out of hibernation. Im still dealing with snow cover although half the layout is melted while the other half still has a good 6+inches. I did manage to shovel the rest of the track after getting another inch of snow yesterday. Here is where I stand at the moment.
Of course as i was taking the photos it started to snow again. Suppose to get another 4 inches later ugh… In the next week or two I plan on getting a load of ballast. as soon as the snow clears and the ground thaws I will be digging my trench and getting everything ballasted.
Shawn, All I did on my layout was cover the whole thing with landscape fabric. then lay the track on top. then just put your ballast down. never had a problem with the track heaving or with weeds in 7 years.
Shawn Viggiano said:
"…Im still dealing with snow cover although half the layout is melted while the other half still has a good 6+inches.
“Of course as i was taking the photos it started to snow again. Suppose to get another 4 inches later ugh…”
Well… It could be worse. It could be me. Oh, wait a minute… It is me! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)I’m glad to see at least one of us is back at it already. My “re-do” is still too messy to deal with. Mother Nature hates the North East!! Looking forward to watching your progress. Good luck… We’re all counting on you.
-Kevin.
Is it done yet???
Thanks guys Andy its almost done, not lol…
Ron never thought about doing it your way. How do you get ground cover to spread? Im assuming you put a layer of dirt ontop of the fabric. You think my stone dust would hold? I would be afraid of the dust washing away.
I plan on cutting some ties this weekend and start spiking some rail.
When I had My dog bone out for about 3 years, I used a method very similar to Ron. I didn’t even get rid of the grass first! I cut strips of landscaping fabric about 8 inches wide and piled on the crusher-fines, then added track. I was very surprised how well it worked. Just added more fines each spring to replace what washed out. I noticed by the third year it was becoming more established and I was needing to add less fines in the spring. I plan to do the same thing on my ne pike in progress. I’ll remove the grass this time and lay fabric in the track areas, and so on.
I’ve actually talked to a few people recently who have trenched and filled with rock and crusher-fines. They claim to have had more issue with heaving from that method compared to almost none with what we have been talking about. Now get out there and start shoveling the snow! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Shawn, I cover everything with mulch. Then when I want to plant something I just spreed the mulch, Cut an x then plant. Simple and effective(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif). Like Randy said, I put the Fabric right on the grass.
Thanks Randy and Ron. I might have to give it a try. Then I wont have to worry about the plants that were planted, before the layout, coming back. It will save me from having to use a lot of ballast. I wonder if that will help protect the wooden ties better?
My first track was ballasted with redwood chip mulch. As things worked out, it was replaced with ballast. Worked amazingly well.
Greg
Andy Clarke said:
Is it done yet???
Hell Dad he just put his trike away how much more can you ask of him??
It’s all in the hat !
After two warm days I was able to put my new hat on and started to work on the layout.
Today I spent some time checking on the levelness. From one end to the other was about 2 inch difference over about 24ft. I could work with that as I ballast the track. I started to dig out my ravine that will have a pondless waterfall and a covered bridge going over it. Tomorrow I plan on getting some ballast and hopefully get the track started. I decided not use the landscape fabric because I would have to add enough topsoil on top for ground cover to spread and since Im trying to get it as level as possible the fabric might make it difficult for me to dig down if needed. I had really good luck with the trench method Hopefully I will have some pictures tomorrow.
Thanks for the pic rooster 
I got a load of ballast today. The first thing that had to be done was finish digging the hole for my 40 gallon tub that will serve as the reservoir for my waterfall. The sides had to be built up so I can create the effect of a ravine. Eventually a covered bridge will span the gap.
Once the bulk of the rock work was done along the sides of the tub I was able to start digging my 4-6 inch deep trench. Ballast was added and tamped down good. This will serve as my base layer. I started at the high side and will work my way down to the yard area. After I get the base completed I will then add ballast over top the track and level everything. I figured i would see about a 2 inch rise from one to the other. Where the ballast has to be piled high I will add dirt to the sides that way I dont have any high sides.
Now that looks like fun. To bad its not warmer. Looking good my friend.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Very nicely done. I was curious what fine stone product you are using for ballast? It compacts nicely. Thanks. Dr Tom
Looks just like the stuff I buy from the stone plant. Around these parts they call it Stone Sand. Some places call it crusher fines or stone dust. It has angular pieces from about 1/4" down to dust.
I got almost all the track bed done. I ran out of ballast with 4ft to go grrrrrr. Looks like Ill have to wait till Wednesday to get more ballast. That will give me enough to finish the the track bed. Then the final coat of ballast will then go on top of the track and everything will be leveled. Here is an Ariel view of the layout. Im pretty happy with the track plan.
Tom Grabenstein said:
Very nicely done. I was curious what fine stone product you are using for ballast? It compacts nicely. Thanks. Dr Tom
Tom we call it stone dust here. Its basically the quarry waste. The stuff I use is limestone. When you first get it, it looks like sand but there is actually small rocks mixed with the dust. Once you wet it down the dust acts like cement and hold the track down and the tiny stone appears on the top surface. I have had great luck with it on y last layout. I can get a yard of it for $23, the price is good. Every spring I add a fresh layer to re-level.
Looking very good. Cant wait to see more pics.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)