Laying Track in 1/2" scale

Here the garden hose marks out the right of way. The ground slopes away from the house (we would have preferred slopping towards the house) but the change in ground height will make the railroad far more interesting. The main line was ultimately rerouted to the left of the small tree. After the first year this tree was removed as it shaded the garden plants too much. We are careful not to disturb the wooden stakes as they mark the track centre line and will be used to guide our earth moving activities later.

Many rocks were "discovered" as we dug into the ground while others came from the previous layout. Notice the track stakes are still in place.

The perimeter of the garden is now taking shape and placement of the vegetation was underway. Note, the track stakes are still in place thus ensuring we don't lose track centre line.

Step 1:The location of the track is roughed in by postioning the track in it's final location using the original stakes as a guide. 1"x1" stakes are placed 3" from the centre line of the track to mark where the garden edging will be installed.  The track is then removed and the dirt between the stakes is removed to a depth of 3".

Here you can see the ground contour is determined at the same time as when the track alighment is finalized. A trestle will eventually appear in the top right corner of the picture and the passing track at Hancock across the top. The rocks in the middle will eventually be stacked to make a small hill.

Step 2:Garden edging is installed along the sides of the trench against the stakes. Stone dust is then carefully shovelled in the middle and is packed down by walking on it and through watering. This is leveled off and is now ready for the track to be installed. Note the track splits at this point where the track to the lower right is the main line while the other heads back to Hancock.

Here is what the finished product looks like beore the track is installed. The wooden stakes can now be removed.

 Now I only speak the half truth regarding the stability of the stone dust road bed. Up here in Ontario, Canada, the ground freezes every winter from Nov to April. The frost typically reaches 3 feet into the ground but has been know to hit 5 feet when the snow cover is thin. Thus anything stuck in the ground are subject to the wild forces ice has on everything. Garden railroads are no exception. The stone dust freezes rock hard along with the track in it. This is fine, the plastic ties and metal rail can take this temperature swing just fine. The only issue is that the frost has the ability to migrate solid objects up through the ground from year to year. That's why farmers always have to contend with new rocks in the fields each spring. Well, this frost action also has the ability to lift the ties out of the stone dust, so come spring when the ground thaws and dries, we find the track sitting on top of the stone dust. But remember, the track isn't fastened down, so a couple of hours spent agitating the track back and forth positions it back into the stone dust. Also, any minor alignment adjustments can be made at this time. So aside from this slight inconvenience, the track has survived 7 winters unscathed!
The second draw back of stone dust is the need to weed on a regular basis! Since this is part of the railroad's right of way, Frances kindly reminds me that this is my responsibility!