How we lay track...
I thought I would use this page to show you how we lay track from start to finish. Mainline one and two are the longest mainlines on the layout, each approximately 300 feet long including the sidings. The roadbed was constructed using cinder blocks every few feet. Between the cinder blocks, a concrete strip was added, which will give the ballast a base later on. Dad and I placed a few cinder blocks each day for months. We were only off dead level by 1/8th of an inch!! This was a great feat considering the lenght of both mainlines and the fact that the blocks were placed using only a four foot level. The pictures below give a visual example of the technique used to lay track from cinder block to ballast.
Step 1: Cinder Block Roadbed
The cinder blocks are a great foundation for any mainline. Redwood blocks will be placed every so often in the cells of the cinder blocks. The track will be screwed in place until the ballasting stage. After ballast is complete, the track is rock solid.
The white pipe in this picture is the level at which the water will fall over the track. We had to think ahead while laying the track so that we wouldn't cause headaches later. The pictures of this spot in its current state can be seen under the Water Features tab.
Test equipment:
Part 2: Concrete Strips
The concrete strips will give the ballast a place to rest and will also make the leveling process easier. Main 2 (right) is finished while Main 1 (left) is not quite ready yet.
Test
Part 3: Track Installation
All of the track on the mainlines is LGB flex track. AristoCraft #6 switches were used on Main 1 and 2, and LGB 1600 series switches were used for the rest. The track was installed five feet at a time, leveled, and screwed into the redwood blocks mentioned earlier. The joints were jumpered using 16 gauge stranded wire to boost conductivity.
The flex track was bent using a Train-Li dual rail bender. After laying over 1,500 feet of track with this bender, I would highly recommend this product. It is the BEST dual rail bender I have worked with - period.
Test
Part 4: Ballasting
The redwood blocks are only a temporary method to secure the track - the ballast really holds the track in place. Make sure all the track is level and true. Dad and I ballast about 5 to 8 feet of track at a time. After you mix the A5 Roofing Grit (rock) with concrete glue, you can start to ballast. Be sure to clean off the glue from the top of the rail head and remove any stray rock from the insides of the rails.