Ballast Calculator — Model Railway
Calculate ballast volume and weight needed for model railway track sections.
Total length of track to ballast
Track gauge and scale
Single or double track mainline
Number of points that need ballasting
Cost per bag of ballast
How We Calculate This
Calculation
Cross-section area = Ballast width x Depth x 0.7 (trapezoidal profile)
Volume = Total track length x Cross-section area
Weight = Volume x Ballast density (1.5 g/cm3)
Points are treated as extra track length based on gauge. The trapezoidal factor (0.7) accounts for the sloped shoulder profile of realistic ballast.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: March 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.