Rock City Railroad
Track & Roadbed
I used standard code 100 track and switches bacause that's how the hobby stores start you off. However upon seeing some real layouts, I think code 83 might have been better because it looks more realistic. I'm not sure what to recommend. stay tuned.

I used cork roadbed instead of homasoat (or whatever it's called), and am glad I did. Why? Because I've torn up my track and re-adjusted it about 5 or 6 times before getting it perfect, and it's easier to tear up and move cork. However, the homasoat looks better for yards and I might tear up the cork in the yard and put down the homasoat.

I painted the cork the color of the ballast before laying it so when I cover it with ballast I don't have to cover it all. I've seen some layouts where they tried to completely cover the cork with ballast, and it looks very bad.

I painted the track brown, sort of a drybrush effect, before laying it. I painted it somewhat thicker than ordinarry drybrush, but left a little black in the corners. This gives it a good effect. I found a rust or dark orangish brown looks best. also, if it's not quite as dark as you'd like, that's probably ok cause it'll darken with age. (and dust)

I used Atlas (I hate to use that word) flex track cause it was half the price of Peco. It's harder to lay cause it's springier. I don't know if Peco is worth the price difference. I do know that for the switches, Atlas is a worthless ripoff, not worth a penny, and Peco is a million times better.

I nailed the cork rather than glue, so it could be torn up easier if necessary.

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