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  2. Sand Loads in HO?

Re: Sand Loads in HO?

Dave Parker
 

I have thought about this more in terms of scenery, but the same principles apply to loads.

If you are a soil scientist, sand particles range in diameter from 0.05 to 2.0 mm.   A good starting point would be ~1.0 mm for typical dune sand.  In HO scale that is 0.011 mm, very fine particles indeed.  The finest US Standard sieve size that you will commonly see is 400 mesh = 0.037 mm, or about 3.2 mm in HO scale (= fine gravel).

IOW, a prototypically correct load should be extremely fine, maybe like flour.  It really shouldn't have much in the way of noticeable texture when viewed with the naked eye.  I have seen several layouts, and a few carloads, where what is supposed to be sand is actually a bunch of tennis balls in HO scale.

As always, YMMV.

Dave Parker
Riverside, CA


On Monday, March 6, 2017 3:37 PM, "Peter Hall petehall6369@... [STMFC]" wrote:


 
Another product you might consider is Sanded Grout.  It’s very fine, and comes in several useful colors.

Thanks
Pete




On Mar 6, 2017, at 1:51 PM, Richard Townsend richtownsend@... [STMFC] <STMFC@...> wrote:


I have used diatomaceous earth, which you can get cheaply from many hardware stores and pet stores.
 
Richard Townsend
Lincoln City, OR
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: jimbetz jimbetz@... [STMFC] <STMFC@...>
To: STMFC <STMFC@...>
Sent: Mon, Mar 6, 2017 11:12 am
Subject: [STMFC] Sand Loads in HO?

 
Hi all,

What product do you use for making an HO scale sand load
in a gondola? I don't want to use any kind of food product
(such as flour).
I'm willing to color it with paint and washes.

The only commercial product I'm finding is the one by
Motrak. That one might work - but it is white and would
require color changes. And all of the sources I've been
able to find want as much or more to ship it as the load
costs!

This is to represent "sand being delivered to an engine
facility for RR use such as for locomotives" - the sand
seen at a sand tower. It will go in an Intermountain
ATSF Caswell gondola (if that makes a difference).
- Jim B.
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