You can ballast track (or not) any time after it is laid down where you want it, and you've done test runs to make sure there are no defects in your track work. There is no fixed order in which things have to be done, and anyone who says otherwise isn't doing you any favors.So can I ballast now? Or should I wait. Im not planning on plaster mountains (did that with my son 15 years ago, it was fine but never felt solid to me). Foam carved. So at least it won't be plaster itself getting on the tracks. Something else.
Thoughts?
That still doesn't make it fixed... just means that you have to consider that when deciding what to do next. Just as you wouldn't install track before installing the roadbed, unless you're a glutton for punishment, you would ballast prior to installing the centenary. But you could work on scenery, then ballast, then install structures, then do centenary, then add figures. Or you could do it in just about any order, provided you did the ballast before the catenary (it's not impossible, just really, really hard).Unless you are installing catenary...
QED. No one is arguing the wisdom of installing it last, only the absolute necessity of doing so.Catenary is traditionally installed last. After ballast, after scenery, after trees, etc. You may not have access to important areas that were not completed before hand if you first install catenary.
