To Bed or Not to Bed ...

I don't really agree with Dennis. It depends on what you are trying to model. Mainlines that I see for real trains in northern IL are built up very high and you would definitely need to put track bed under Atlas track to model that. However, when you look at sidings in industrial areas, the tops of the ties seem to be level with the surrounding ground. There, even the Atlas ties are too tall. You really need to decide what effect you are trying to achieve. My advice is to go out and look at the real thing and take some pictures. Then, the next problem to solve is what color ballast to use. I haven't really found anything that looks like the ballast I see around here, including Brennan's.

George

Well said, George.

However, I've found that the use of weathering powders can help a lot when finishing off ballast.

Just a word on ballast.  I have found crushed granite "chicken grit" at a local TSC store.  It is very inexpensive for the large bag you get, it is small enough (you can screen if you wish to) and depending upon type of ballast materiel used in your area, yes, it can be colored as Max stated.  And, as George said, the height of actual rails varies greatly depending upon terrain and function of the trackage involved.  Heavier ballasting is used for most frequently used trackage, less for sidings and yard areas.  That said, also rail type, poundage, varies greatly from one to another depending upon type of use and frequency.

Jesse    TCA  12-68275