Given that I am even too cheap to pay for cheap plastic track the hardstanding area hasnt even got any track !!

Step 1

Build up the baseboard to the under rail height (1/2" ply)

Step 2

Add some strips of 1/4" ply to create a rail edge

After checking a wagon rolled well in the newly create "rails"

Step 3

A further strip of plywood between the rails, some extra ply outboard of the rails to extend the concrete area, then dark brown paint in the rail groove, and a combination of 3 grey paints for a start of a concrete look.

At some point the rail top silver paint will be continued along the wooden edge so it doesn't look like the wheels are running on concrete !

On a different note I have also just ordered a sound card that is suitable for DC running or in my case battery running, its a company based in Australia that have just released the cards for generic steam or diesel, and retail at around ??35 with speaker a (exchange rate dependent)

http://www.mylocosound.com/index.html

Well worth a look !

John