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1. Get permission from the boss. Need help?

   Use a few plus points.

   • Outside hobby
   • Will include several garden features
   • Can reduce (or increase) the flower beds and maintenance
   • Will get you out of the house
   • A great hobby all the family can enjoy

   • Great for the grand children

2. Survey your garden and draw up plans. This could be done before item one -if you are brave enough.

3. Mark out where your track is going to go. Start with a centre line using a series of pegs. From these pegs mark out your chosen track formation width. At this stage it may also be worth putting in a peg at an offset outside the track bed and away from the working area. It could also be used to mark the final level on which can be transferred back using a standard bubble level. This off set peg will be used as reference when you remove the centre peg to create the track bed.

4. Move obsticles, flower beds, sheds, paths etc. and start to prepare the track formation. Assess the sub base for its bearing strength. If there is vegetation or other problems dig deeper. Make a decision at this stage to whether a deeper or stronger base may be required. Also take the opportunity to put in ducts or services for possible future use -

   • Garden lighting
   • Hose pipes (save trailing across the line)
   • Power - 12v or even a 240v socket for the lawn mower
   • Future signalling
   • Water for steam engines

5. Set both sides of the track formation (masonry or timber) and line with fabric

6. Line trench with layer of ballast up to the under side of sleeper level

7. Bend rails to follow line of track. Use a rail bender and do not pull rails in to gauge using the sleepers. Both rails should sit on the formation in roughly the right place. Rail pulled in will creep back over a period of time.

8. Build the track panels using chosen track system. Try not to stagger rail joints as this can hinder future maintnence.

9. Cut rail, drill fishpate holes and connect panels.

10. Once you are happy with the levels and line of the track add ballast up to top of sleepers.

Ok it's not quite that simple. Go on to read the following chapters for a more detailed break down of the stages.

Next Stage - Track Bed Design

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