This long weekend I finished setting down the sub roadbed and making sure everything was glued down securely. Next step, drywall compound laid in the cracks between the pieces and all of the screw heads. Get that sanded so everything is perfectly smooth and flat as a piece of glass. Then dark brown paint on the entire length. Once that dries, its time to start drawing the track plan and laying track.

I did give some thought to actually hand-laying the track, but that thought lasted about 3 seconds!  

Don't know if everyone saw the test video of the hole in the street to select the turnout bar as opposed to an oversized hand throw, but it worked perfectly. Thats the way all turnouts will be thrown.