Two Questions About Track Cleaning and Ballasting

You have only two questions, but I'll bet you get a whole lot more than two answers!

May I suggest that you please try the search feature, as both subjects have been discussed over and over, almost on a monthly basis.

Great idea.

Thanks

Track cleaning - GooGone applied to a folded, cotton cloth. I apply pressure to the 3 railtops with 3 fingers behind the cloth. Follow with a dry cloth to remove GooGone residue. Move to a new section of cloth frequently as the cloth will get soiled quickly.

No cleaning car ever works as well.

Ballasting - pour loose ballast using a dixie cup then shape it with a soft paintbrush to force it to settle and level it to tie height between the rails and form a nice, even shoulder on the outer edges.

Lock it down with a liberal spray of wet water (water with either a few drops of dish soap added to allow it to flow. Then dribble in diluted white glue. It should follow the water into the crevices. Wipe the railtops clean before anything dries and stay clear of any moving switch points.

JohnJr posted:

Two quick questions:

1. What is your favorite method and device for track cleaning?

2. What is your favorite method and device for track ballasting?

Thanks for any and all responses!

JohnJr

WD40 and a paper towel.

Brush water diluted glue on the berm side (cess) to hold the pour on the grade angle. Pour from a plastic or paper cup, brush into shape and location. Follow up with water diluted glue or artist's matte medium to tie all the grains together and to the surface under them. Use carefully at turnouts, crossovers and accessory activating contacts under the track.

Bogie