When I planned my outside railroad, I knew that I would be running both 7/8" and 16mm scales on it so the track work and tie configuration is a compromise that, I think, looks good with either scale. I don't have any large structures, so there is not really anything to lock me into either scale.

The layout is a sort of twisted kidney shape and I started by marking it out on the ground and digging a small ditch 6" deep. I tamped sand into the ditch and then laid concrete breezeblocks in place on the sand and cemented them all together. I placed a 1" thick layer of cement on top of the blocks and inserted small 1" x 3" blocks about 18" apart and sticking up above the concrete about ½" all the way around the track.

I used Peco, SM-32 gauge, nickel-silver track with UV proof plastic sleepers. Once the surface layer of concrete was dry, I installed the track and nailed it to the 1" x 3" blocks in the concrete. This allowed me to test the track for proper operation even though it was "hanging" about ½" above the concrete. Once I was satisfied with the operation, I waited for a nice sunny dry day and then covered the track with a dry mix of sand, cement, and peat compost. I used a mix of 1 part peat compost to 3 parts concrete/sand mix and tamped it under and around the ties with a small household brush.

Once I had the mix tamped in place, I leveled it with the tops of the ties and contoured it so that it looked right. I checked the track again for proper operation and made sure that the switch points were clear and that there was no concrete sticking to the rails anywhere that would give me trouble later on. Then I wet everything down with a garden watering can and allowed it to dry.

Today, after several years, moss is growing between the rails and ties and the nickel-silver track has weathered to a very nice brownish black color. You will notice from the photos that when I designed the railroad, I planned for the center of the kidney shape to be much higher than the rail to provide a vision block for photography. I have added properly sized plantings that complement the track work and provide some shade, which promotes the growth of the moss.

I am pleased with the railroad, which has been trouble free and provides me with many hours of enjoyment.

Rob Bennetts