I am modelling a Western Michigan RR formerly operated by my father-in-law. Their only product was clean white sand mined from the dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan. I would use the real thing but it’s too coarse. Fine buff ballast is the right color but also too coarse. Even play sand from The Home Depot is not fine enough ( and probably came from the same place). Does anybody have any ideas for an alternative?
Thanks,
Jimbo
You might try sifting the sand with a very mesh so that you get only the smallest particles.
Enjoy
Paul
Jimbo -
I recently picked up some Chinchilla dust from th local pet shop. It has a nice whiteness to it that buff ballast does not. It may be just the thing for you.
Chris
Modelling New England in the Old one…
Some people use grout it comes in many colors
Hope that helps
Harold
The white sand off the beaches of Florida is really fine. I’d say start sifting that stuff for what you need. Either that, or look for sander sand from real engines. It might be a bit coarse, but it’ll have the right look.
be careful if you use beach sand…there are lots of natural sand materials that are loaded with iron…iron is not what you want near or in your MAGNETIC electric motors such as locomotive motors, turnout motors, turntable motors…ect…get the picture?..Chuck[:D]
Look for sand blasting sand. This comes in different size granules according to what is going to be blasted, and it is usually white sand from the New Mexico, Arizona, or California deserts. Home Depot stores out here sell sand blasting sand in bags. Look in the same area as the cement and mortar.
This is not supposed to be sand but sulphur. Anyway, I wanted something to represent very fine grained “stuff”. I made a form with green florist foam, glued on DRY POWDERED TEMPERA PAINT. After glue set, wetted and sprinkled on a little more dry tempera to soak up moisture from below.
I don’t know for sure the color of your white beach sand, but if you can find the right color of tempera…
'Loaded the hell out of those gons, my friend, however…
The sand out of Home Depot, could only have ben Kiddies Play Sand, from Quikrete, or you would pay too much.
That’s DOT builder’s sand, kiln fired, sterile, and ready to use.
I don’t know the spec, down to fines. It’s hard to find a reason to crush it less than it is.
What you are looking for, is a color, or texture, to match the color.
Quikrete, is usually produced, in the region where the plant is. Most of the time, Quikrete, is a good starter for the regional product offered, in this case as DOT builder sand.
Sometimes it is possible to scoop up clean dry sand on a rail line – the kind locomotives are loaded with. It is small sifted and very even in size.
Dave Nelson