basic track laying question

[Anonymous]

I am currently laying out my first HO scale layout, it is basically an long oval with a double outside curve and a few branch lines. My benchwork is 4'x8' with 1/2" plywood and 1-1/2" styrene foam on top. I plan to secure my code 83 atlas track down permantly using latex caulk for road bed and the track. I am currently confused? What order should I lay all my track down? Do I secure all my road bed first? Or piece it along with my track? I just dont want to get one end secured and have the other end not line up or the curves dont fit. Any suggestions for me to relieve problems

[mgruber]

Draw your track plan down on the foam with a pen or marker. If you're satisfied, glue down the roadbed. If you're still satisfied, glue down your track. Take your time and do it right the first time.

[dgwinup]

Murphy's Law almost guarantees that if you start glueing track down on one side, by the time you've worked your way all around the layout, the ends won't match when you get back to the beginning.

Draw your plan as mgruber suggests, then dry fit your track in position. This verifies your drawn track plan. Make some registration marks around the track pieces, remove the track and start glueing the roadbed in place, folling the registration marks. When the roadbed is finished, dry fit the track again to make sure it fits porperly. Using some tacks, tape or pins to temporarily hold the track in place, remove several sections of track, apply your adhesive to the roadbed and replace the track pieces in their correct position. Temporarily secure the glued track with tape or pins. Continue removing track pieces, applying adhesive and re-laying track as you work around the layout. By the time you get back to the beginning, your track will nearly line up and any discrepancies in fit will be minor.

As mgruber says, take your time and do it right the first time and you will have few problems with derailments.

Darrell, quiet...for now

[Anonymous]

Do what I did, make a 2'x2' layout, with just a loop. I did this first, and I made a ton of mistakes to learn from.

[Anonymous]

Crap! I have some of it started...hopefully everything comes up? Murphy's Law makes alot of sense! I am not gifted in the department of drafting or laying out...But I will give it a try...
Thanks