Track Laying continues

I finally got around to laying track on the main level as highlighted in my last post. Track laying continues in this one. 

As I continue to lay track, I have learned a few characteristics of Peco 83 track. 

1) it is not necessary to cut back the last tie on each leg of a turnout. They have a small notch where the rail joiner slips just under the rail at the tie. 

2) Peco flex has enough tie movement that you do not need to remove a tie on a straight section of track in many cases. 

3) Using Atlas Code 80 N Scale rail joiners is the way to go. I was given that advice 'after' I bought a truck load of Peco joiners. However, I'm very impressed with the N Scale joiners. They look really good and are very subtle. 

I decided is was time to expand the test train. Out came the autoracks and 86' boxcars. One of which has body mounted couplers. 

You will notice in may of the pictures, the jar of petroleum jelly. I put on the back of all throw bars prior to installation. The theory being that will help in having problems later when ballasting, more specifically the glue. I did this on the Exeter Branch as well. 

At the end of last update, I showed the next section of benchwork that was painted and ready. To the right is the same section with the main track roadbed installed. Long, straight sections are fast! 

To the left, you can see the turnouts filled in with drywall mud. I'm able to contour the surface and the transition to the transition roadbed. Another benefit is rather than trying to piece in homabed, the mud fills the gap quickly. The downside is that the drywall mud shrinks as it dries. So two coats are needed. Once the mud is dry and painted, track can be installed. 

The first box and 75' of track complete. Time to break into box two!

I am working on two to three sections at a time. Meaning that roadbed is installed in one section. Drywall mud and paint on another. And laying track in between.

I'm moving in each direction in laying the track. My preference is to continue adding track in each direction. That way I'm not trying to connect between sections. It saves some work and allows me to be more precise. Thus far, this style has been working well. 

As you can see, progress is being made. I've also made some adjustments to the track plan as I go. New industries have been identified as well. I finished up the second box of track tonight. That's 150' of flex track and counting.