Phase 1: Building the first loop of track around the back lawn

My idea was to have 2 independent loops of track so continuous unattended running could be achieved. Then I also wanted one that I could see while I was sitting in one place in the back yard.

This loop goes around the grass in the back yard. In order to be able to mow and edge the grass, I put the track in the planters, except where it abuts the patio. There I had the concrete poured to very closely match the track curvature.

Construction

My track is free-floating in ballast. Here you can see the track which follows the curve of the patio, and then goes into the planter.

You can see the addition to the patio slab. It was initially designed with two 5 foot radius curves, BUT, they were back to back, without a much needed straight section in the middle. The new concrete reflects this, as well as a way to get the track into the planter.

Looking Southwest, the loop continues.

Here you see the rest of the S curve and then the track leaves the patio and goes into the planter. There will be a second loop, and you can see some of the track for this in the picture.

There is crossover to get between these two loops.

In the upper right corner is the space between the south side of the house and the property line. That is where the switch yard, buildings, and more "railroad" stuff will live.

Continuing counterclockwise, Southeast corner of yard.

Here the track continues through the planter. Again you can see the some of the track for the second loop, which goes on top of the retaining wall that is at the back property. While this loop has 15' minimum diameter curves, the "outer" loop will have mostly 17' or greater diameter curves.