Superkent50

Thanks BB, Wasn't planning to ballast ever again, I was hoping cork underlay would be a ballast effect with lichen either side. Jim

Hi all, Can you advise on cork underlay & perhaps a link to purchase,please? Does it give a good ballast effect & easy to glue onto plywood I've arriving from builders yard? Ok with mounting on curves etc? I've viewed on Youtube & looks well, I had attempted ballast & glue etc but didn't like effect plus my points got stuck - never again! Thanks for replies! Jim

Got it sorted, slight track disconnection. Thanks for replies, brilliant help! I've posted another subject / puzzler - track fencing in general discussion if you can assist.

Any hints on track fencing folks? Following many attempts at placing track anchors in track anchor points, the fencing doesn't fit / line up. Do I overlay the fencing which looks untidy? Does it sit with gaps at each end - again untidy. Please help, pics be good.

Could you connect further wiring from the H&M controller for additional connectors or am I being dangerous?!😅 I having set-up a new layout have a train stopping midway around a layby track. Have moved connector which powers main 2nd line but when I adjust points for train to travel down layby, it stops halfway along. Any ideas? Gonna try cleaning track.

👍 Thanks Chris for your informative & helpful reply!

Following Hornby's video of ballasting 1st then pin track, fellow contributors on forum were correct, it is NOT the way to ballast. When dried, lumps & uneven ballast was apparent so no track pinning. Thankfully all scraped off & board prepared for pinning track. I bought fencing, should I place in track & ballast over base, similar with signals? Thanks for your attention & replies.

Thank you all for your comments & advice.

Very good comment! I feel the same & the content in magazine is full of locos etc from bygone era & not really collecting or new loco reviews or even a letters page. Layouts could be shown (I note last issue did have a layout feature) but not a great read. Perhaps tips on ballast, layout issues & additional Hornby product info. I'd give the collector a choice on their yearly gift, a loco, accessories kit, a wagon or perhaps a Skaledale building. Doubt I'll sign up again.

Just checked board & ballast nearly dry. I also placed some spare pieces of track & looking fine on top. Once pinned down it should be fine with no dust, glue residue or sticky points.

Thanks for your replies. I took inspiration on ballast technique via Hornby videos & have already glued ballast to board this morning. I had a previous layout & performed ballast process via track 1st then ballast. I found when gluing ballast using an eye dropper that the glue ended up on sleepers, the sleepers stayed dusty even after a spray & points (frogs) were poor operation. Hopefully track does lay level, otherwise I've just blown £25 on a board plus wasted ballast & glue.🙁

Hi folks, Approx time for ballast to dry on MDF, I've ballasted on board before laying any track following drying, any tips?

Thanks, Foam on the way, I'll employ it & see how I get on. It looks good, other model train friends have said it is good & Hornby selling I notice. I had purchased ballast, glue etc but have read elsewhere on forums that base board has warped - another reason for foam.

Hi all, I ordered a roll of ballast foam last night after viewing on Youtube, what are your thoughts on the foam? I'd previously purchasted ballast stones, glue etc but was worried about ballasting around points. The ballast foam looks great, no mess & assists with sound on layout board. Any pitfalls to lookout for? Any pics with foam employed on your layout? Should I glue foam to board rather than pin? Any thoughts would be welcome! /media/tinymce_upload/76475f557711bedd85c0fdba2bff795d.jpg