I have agreed to help a friend start to ballast his large layout. I think using actual O Gauge ballast all over the layout in all positions does not look realistic. I have therefore done a trial board of the three ballasts I use for all my O Gauge layouts. I intend to paint them and the track sides later and then post again.

The number of Exhibition layouts that take a one size does all is amazing, even in these days when all sizes are available at reasonable prices. Remember some goods yards and terminus station areas have not been re-ballasted or had new track for 50 years as all speeds are low in these areas. I would treat through Stations with no goods or sidings completely different, using virtually all O Gauge ballast.

I use O Gauge Ballast on Mainlines and Secondary Lines – I use N gauge Ballast for Terminus Station areas and fine sand for well trod areas like engine sheds and goods yards. These could have been laid on ash anyway! – When I do this, I do a transition length by mixing two types together, with different percentages of each at least three times, so that the transition is seamless and realistic. Abrupt changes do not work!