Dawg,
The Contact cement is poured into a ketchup squeeze bottle  for easy application to pre-ballasted areas.  I also have used this material with a paint brush and "drizzled" it onto the ballast [in a river bed].  I usually apply the cement to the outside edges of the ties and let the ballast between the rails float.    This material is much thinner than rubber contact cement.    When poured into the ballast, it soaks into the gaps between the aggragrate bonding it together.  When dry, it becomes almost [maybe slightly yellowish] invisible.

The Contact Cement can be purchased in quarts or gallons at Lowes or HD.  Cost for a gallon is about $18.

JimC.