How best to create trackbed

[Robin]

Hi all I’m looking at creating a garden railway around my pond this currently has a slab edging loose laid on top of sleepers which create the pond sides the options I’m looking at is either a wooden base laid on top or to create a rubbercrete base within a trench cut into the slabs what’s peoples thoughts on practicality and also aesthetics I’ve included a couple of pics so you can an idea of the current look a bridge will also be required to cross the pond by the waterfall. 

[mick]

Hi Robin and welcome to the forum.

Are you intending the railway to be OO gauge? The primary consideration with OO gauge is to ensure that whatever you decide to use for the track base is ideally perfectly level. You will probably get away with uneven track for a while but you'll very quickly become tired of constant derailments.

Looking at the photos, if you are intending to locate the railway round the perimeter of the pond, running on top of the slabs, then you are going to have very sharp curves in the corners. I'm also not sure how you would access the rear section running alongside the fence for track laying or indeed for access in case of any derailments.

I suppose I've been fortunate in that the 2 layouts I've built outdoors have both been done from a blank canvas, an open space without any restrictions. I'm not sure if you have any alternative space for a layout? Building around the perimeter of the pond looks like it could potentially be problematic though I suppose any type of outdoor layout is going to require a good deal of work. It all depends on what lengths you are prepared to go to.

[Clay Mills Junction]

Hi Robin,

Welcome to the forum.

I would think that wood will depend on the type of wood and its proximity to the water. If you were using wood to raise the track level above the slab level then that might be OK.

Certainly, the bridge by the waterfall I would look to make out of metal if you can.

I'd echo Mick's comment on the curve sharpness. Even with setrack second radius you might end up cutting the corner a little and having to support the track. Really you want curves to be as gentle as possible so 4th radius would be preferable.

Good luck with the project.

[Robin]

Hi thanks both for your input I didnt explain myself to well with the curves they will be built on a raised section beyond the pond and the bridge I intend to curve right across the pond so as to keep curves as large a radius as possible. 
I appreciate the comments regarding access to the back but it is not as difficult as it looks as there is a large planting shelf I can walk along within the pond with the addition of a pair of wellies or waders that I have for pond maintenance anyway. 
Thanks Robin 

[mick]

I'm pleased to hear that you've considered access to the track, especially alongside the fence at the rear, but do bear in mind that it may well be something you have to do before each and every running session in order to clean the track.

Other than ensuring track is laid as level as possible, access to all areas of it would probably come a close second in order of importance. Large radius curves would be up there too in my opinion.

Bridge, raised section, pond and waterfall are certainly going to help make a fascinating layout.