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What I’ve written here includes both things I did and things I wish I had done when building Shandin. Hopefully, with the next modules I build, I’ll achieve something closer to excellence. Even if you’ve never built a module or installed trackwork before, following the recommendations presented here carefully and without compromise will result in excellent trackwork.

Even the most beautiful locomotives, equipment and scenery are no pleasure if the trains don’t stay on the track or don’t look great traveling along it. While prototypical modeling occasionally results in models that simply aren’t suited to reliable operation, most derailments and other operational and appearance problems can be traced to avoidable trackwork problems.

Remember that the Free-mo objective is to create trackwork that is as prototypical, operates as well, and looks as good as our best locomotives and rolling stock. This means that trackwork needs to be treated as an important part of your overall modeling work and made as reliable and faithful to the prototype as your prize models.  The Northern California Free-mo group's setup in San Bernardino, CA in 2002 illustrates the role that good trackwork plays in the enjoyment of Free-mo.

The time and care invested in every step of planning and installing track will invariably be paid back many times over. This is especially true for modular trackwork. While applicable to all trackwork, the emphasis in what follows is on Free-mo trackwork.  Everything recommended here is intended to conform to US Free-mo standards.

In many of the subjects covered below, I emphasize the need for flatness, smooth transitions, etc.  A good quality square and long straight-edge will help to determine if you have accomplished what you intended.

An invaluable hint: After using all the tools available to check your work, sight across and along the module framework, roadbed and track at a scale zero to five feet high. It’s often amazing what is revealed when you do. You’ll observe things that all of your tools might not have exposed. Dips, rises, twists, kinks, crooked track and turnouts, and all manner of other deviations from perfect trackwork will show up with surprising (and sometimes embarrassing) clarity. Do this frequently as you progress through all phases of building your module and your track.