Use of Shims, etc., to Improve Layout and Track

One thing that I find important especially on my garden railway is being level side to side especially if the track is off on opposite sides close by each other

Arnold,

Shims have proven useful in addressing one of the derailment issues with the 2021 Acela around O-72 curves.  It is described here:

https://ogrforum.com/...your-odds-of-success

I have used shims multiple times on my layout. Often a switch will not be smooth at the intersection of the outside rails to the switch. I've had problems with curves on a downward sloop. Needing to heighten the far side rail. And I run 042 curves so several of the 18' engines would have problems. It is fun to run the engines backward and forward a dozen times to make sure it runs perfectly.  Oh the fun we can have!!

I use shims on my elevated trolley line to help with electrical conductivity of the MTH Real Trax.  Works fine!  

Our home layout uses all Gar Graves track with Postwar Lionel O22 switches. I shim the Gar Graves with roadbed so that it matches the rail height of the O22 switches.

If possible ,get down to the edge of the layout at eye level and look across the tops of the rail from the long end of your layout.

Then you can see and address any dips or rises in the track for much smoother running. Index cards made good shims for my fastrack.

While my layout is certainly not "the end all be all of layouts". I regularly see photos and video of rather rough track work.

I've seen big gaps , bends at connections. Even track suspended in mid air off of the bench work edge.Trains can be seen rocking and bouncing along.

Next to wiring, good trackwork is the most important part of reliable running.

Use of .020 and .030 thickness  white styrene on two separate elevated Lionel 110 trestle curves on the outside of the curves were sufficient as a very small banked curve. The thicker of the two in the middle of the curves with Gargraves track.  The RAILking Allegheny now makes the curves better