Before laying the rail we need to curve it to the correct shape using a rail bender. This is fairly simple on the new rail we purchased, but we have some second-hand rail tjhat appears to have been bent by hand, resulting in a series of small straight edges rather than a curve. To get this in to a smooth curve we have to bend it back the opposite way. |  |
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| Gauges (thank you, Rex!) keep the rails to the correct width (5 inches) while they are fixed to the sleepers. There are many ways of doing this, but we chose to hexagonal headed coach bolts with neoprene washers. This should allow for some expansion/contraction during hot and cold weather. |  |
| Fixing the final section in place. Tradition says we should use a golden spike, but we haven't got one. |  |
