PVA vs SBR vs Easy Hold

[JimmyB]

As my railway expands along paving, and wanting to add ballast, as the rest of my railway is ballasted, thoughts turn to holding it in place, and I have seen all three of these (PVA vs SBR vs Easy Hold) used by different railway builders on here, so my questions are:

1) What are the differences between the products: i.e. pros and cons.
2) How is each of these used, e.g. neat, diluted, prayed etc.

Any help in aiding me to make my mind up would be appreciated.

I have visited a number of manufacturers' websites that produce both, and they provide very little insight, of it is over to you the end user and your experience - many thanks.

 

[GAP]

Can only talk to PVA I mix 50:50 exterior PVA and water with a little dishwashing liquid and pour it on using a small container with a pouring spout (old yoghurt tub).
Method;
Damp down ballast with a misting spray (old cleaner spray bottle)
Pour PVA mix over ballast liberally
Spray with mix to cover parts that were missed during pour.

It has survived 2 Australian summers (temps over 32C) and 1 winter (temps as low as 10C).

 

[ge_rik]

I can only describe experiences with exterior PVA and SBR. Not tried Easy-hold.

I use the same approach as Graeme (see above). I've found that SBR tends to last longer than PVA probably because SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) remains flexible.

I generally use SBR in station areas where I want a range of finishes......


... but on the open road I generally use a 3:1 mix of horticultural grit and cement - applied dry and watered in using the misting spray on my hose attachment.


To be fair, the horticultural grit/cement method needs to be replaced more regularly (c3+ years) than the SBR approach (c5+ years).

There's more info on my blog - How I ballast my track

Rik

 

[dunnyrail]

JimmyB SBR is used neat so less haslte, though I would suggest a drop or two of washing up liquid in the container well shaken will help. However, SBR comes in external and internal varieties, my pal in Watchet wondered why his SBR fixed ballast was coming loose in places, yes the recently fixed down with internal SBR. Again not tried Easyhold, but the internal external rule likely holds. As with all garden ballast fixing, only in warm weather preferably before midday with no rain overnight should give it time to dry good.

Interestingly for a very permanent fix I have seen this using casting resin from boat builders, see below, NOTE warning re permanence!

 

[JimmyB]

Many thanks so far. It would at the moment external SBR Bond is the way to go, but as I not in a rush (anymore), I will see what other information appears.

 

[Paul M]

Rik, it took a while to realise the top picture was your model, it looks just like the real thing!

 

[JimmyB]

After reading your thoughts I have gone with this:



I will be experimenting its use at the weekend.

 

[ge_rik]

Rik, it took a while to realise the top picture was your model, it looks just like the real thing!

Thanks. It's what I was aiming for. I did that about five years ago, so it's starting to get in need of a touch-up. ( Ooh errr missus ...... )

Rik

 

[AlanL]

SBR does work, I used it to apply Grano-dust as ballast to my entire railway last year. My track is laid on a base of concrete building blocks.

I used different techniques to apply the Grano-dust, from minimal SBR, liberal amounts of SBR, and back-filling the track to laying a base before laying the track. I also tried smoothing heavily (thus compacting) and barely smoothing the wet mix.

Best result was with minimal smoothing, leaving a textured top surface and plenty of SBR. The most pleasing result was by back-filling to the tops of the sleepers but with the SBR, it held the track too securely and didn't allow any expansion, (it was on a long sweeping curved section) all the expansion occured after the back-filled section creating a kink in the tracks, see photo. I lifted the back-filled portion and laid a new base of Grano-dust with the track on top, allowing the track to float and accomodate expansion.

The SBR dries to a lighter colour and hasn't faded over time, as can be seen in the photo. The Grano-dust would be a dark grey if it hadn't been glued.
SBR diluted 50%, I didn't try any other strengths.
Grano-dust was branded Tarmac and purchased from B &Q last year.

Photo of track laid on a thin base of Grano-dust.

Alan

Photo of all the expansion between glued sections


Before track-laying with the glue drying, showing high areas where the base is smoother. I ignored the high areas, a level track base is more important.


Alan