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JUST STARTING and have a ground cover question.

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The big question is is the track going to be permanent? You say your going to add topsoil to level? Look for some serious settling in the future....    I work in construction, and I hate to shoot your fast approach, but, do it right, and it will last a very... long ... time!    Strip the sod, and the roots to about two inches depth, then put down your base, about three inches thick (seven and one half cm)  then lay your track on that, and fill the space between the ties...   If you want to change the landscaping drastically, like getting rid of a hill, consider making a cut, or if you want to raise the track, strip the sod, then fill to your desire, but really compact the soil. Better yet, use ag lime (limestone fines) it packs like iron. Then put your base on top of that. Ag lime in my neck of the woods in southern Wisconsin, runs cheaper than dirt- literally. I can get a cubic yard for about five bucks US. Black dirt runs about ten dollars per yard, $150 per truckload, and doesen't pack good enough for trains. Heck, use the aglime for base and use the expensive material that you are going to use for ballast for cover. Wet (not to mud) and pack the lime, and you can trowel it to shape. Lay the track on it wet or dry. If its dry and hard, and you need to take it down, shave it with the trowel edge. Putting the weed barrier under the track is a good idea. Build your railroad first, then do your landscaping, so you can correct unforseen problems. Oh, and look for the lime to run about $100 per ten yard truckload, and believe me, you'll need more than you think. Get the whole load. You can use the extra lime to fill your kid's sandbox, or sprinkle a little over your new lawn to cut down on the acid in the soil, it'll help with your new lawn and plants (but not around evergreens). It makes good model roads for your scale people, too! Scale roadstone! Good luck! If your going to pull up the track for the winter, at least form up your land in the fall so its ready in the spring. It'll settle some during the spring rains for about two years, so pack that lime good! Also, do like the other guy says and  put the drain tile under the track, too. Just like he says.
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