There's no good conclusions or answers here, but if you'd like to see all the attempts I made in finding the 'right' ballast for my beat-up, run-down, never-had-funding-for-actual-ballast Rio Grande Southern trackwork, read on:

http://rgsrr.blogspot.com/2016/04/ballast-and-static-grass-and-ink-oh-my...

I hope to have a followup post with what I did decide to finally use.  Um, once I figure that out!

I brought this up in another thread so I thought I would share it here where it might be seen better. I use Stretch Magic (SM)as an alternative to fiber optics for my LED lighting. I found that the 1.5mm clear fits nicely into the light hole in my locomotives. I tested this in an old Athearn blue box (pictured). The technique I used was the same as if using fiber optics. (SM and LED connected with heat shrink tubing). I also tested it in a run of 5 inches. I could not see any difference in light output. The longest piece I use in my lighting is about 1 inch, so it was perfect.

It's been quite some time since I've posted anything here. These are some recent images from my HO shelf layout which is slowly beginning to take shape.

Took a break from modeling today to attend the "Arkansas Railroad Museum's" annual train show and meet.  The museum is located in the former Pine Bluff, Arkansas "Cotton Belt" railroad locomotive shop that built and serviced steam locomotives for the Cotton Belt including one currently on display. 

Update photos of the "Sam Angrick Co." scratch built structure. in the Ashland Ind. Dist. on my HO scale CNW - Peninsula Div. RR. Also it is shown in it's location.

Window & Brick Wall insert sub assembly. I air brushed the window glazing with dull coat to prevent seeing into the empty building.

I got back into the hobby and thought this time I would stay. Forget it! Designing a trackplan is always the same thing. Constant compromises. This doesn't fit, I will never be able to reach this! The room prep as too much work. My floor is cold. And everybody keeps outbidding me!

I am so buried in projects I can't see the day a train might actually get on the track. I give up! I am going to turn the railroad room into pool hall. I knew this would be too much work.

Hi! :) Finalizing touches on some of the rock sides on my layout.

I just love white rocks with a touch of green stuff! <3 <3 <3

More iron ore in this one..

Couple new updates here:

I started a blog. Cool...

Made cool new signature.

Recently finished basic ground cover and took some pictures. Please tell me what you think!

V/Line 3000Hp hood unit C507 in the hole at Bridgewater with an Adelaide-bound superfreighter. This loco is the pride of the fleet, having been fitted out with step and bogie lights, and a LokSound4.0 decoder. 

To All: HRRC are the reporting marks of the Housatonic Railroad. The original line was formed in 1840 in southwest New England and the modern incarnation was chartered in 1983 as a Class III short line. I painted and lettered this "What If" 40 foot boxcar to run on my layout. Photo and Herald copy work by Elvin Howland. Yours, Elvin Howland/E. St. Louis Rail Group Layout.