While I’ve not seen the pictures in question, you make some valid points and, in the spirit of the quoted passage above, let me assure you that there’s absolutely no stigma attached to being a rivet counter if you keep in mind that it’s only your own rivets which you should be counting. [swg]
Regardless of your choice of style for your ballast profile, an easy way to prevent ballast on the ties or, even worse, on the rails, is to finish grooming it before applying the wetting agent. This involves spreading it neatly using a brush or other tool of choice and, when you’re satisfied with the appearance, removing any stray ballast from the tie tops and rails. An easy way to do this last step is to grasp the brush lightly in one hand by its ferrule, and, with the handle laying across the rails, lightly tap it with your free hand as you move the handle along the rails. Any stray ballast particles will “magically” bounce into the spaces between the ties. If, after performing this task, you still have ballast on the tie tops, it’s caused by too much ballast having been applied in the first place. Use the brush to remove or re-distribute the excess, then re-groom as before. This method is easy and it works.
Wayne