I've looked at some of the more common old illustrations of the time, but with several different artist impression images, I'm not sure what the track looked like back then. Do you have any info that will help?

Andy

Hi Andy,

Most of the time stone sleepers were used, as creosote for hadn’t been invented yet. The ballast was often a mix of things I think, with bricks and stuff occasionally being throne in to keep the shareholders happy. The ballast often went up to just below the top of the rail, but I tried that on my layout and it’s best to leave it shorter, but still covering sleepers. Ballast color often differed between region and company. That’s just what I can say, I’m sure Ian Simpson has a lot more on that subject though, I got most of my track info from reading his blog.

-Douglas

I seem to remember seeing an ad for some ultra-modern track that uses concrete blocks under the running rails linked by metal tie-rods.  I had a quick look but couldn't spot it but, when i first saw it, it occurred to me that it could be adapted to represent old stone block track!  The wheel turns full circle

That’s a very good idea Mr. Oxon, I have seen that around, but it never entered my kind to use it that way. The only real difficulty would be the points/turnouts.

Thanks,

-Douglas

I've now found the track that I mentioned earlier.  I should have realised it was a Peco product but I didn't know the name : SL-106F Flexible Track, Bibloc Sleeper.  It looks like this:

As I said before, the wheel has turned full circle and we are laying track on 'stone' blocks again

Mike

That does look very convincing, they might even sell those in my country. But that is probably wishful thinking. I guess for the points/turnouts I would just paint them a vague stone color.

thanks,

-Douglas

Edit, I’ve just found that they make points/turnouts.