Narrow Gauge Track Specification - AVR

The Alford Valley Railway (AVR) in Aberdeenshire are looking to get the track back to a reasonable condition as I understand it. Iv pitched in my support through advice but I need some help.

Is there a generally accepted standard for narrow gauge track specification?

My initial thought was 16”-24” ballast depth with sleepers spaced at 18”.

Is that right? What do the other narrow gauge lines use?

 

Have you got shares in a ballast supplier? Have a look at RSP5 (https://webarchive.nationalarchives...ssets/pdf_file/0015/2634/rsp005-minorrail.pdf) and, in particular clause 46. Sleeper spacing is dependent on axles loads and rail sizes but the usual spacing is 2'-6". As a narrow gauge railway they really need to develop their own standards for track and wheel profiles and, if interchangeability of stock is envisaged, it is sensible to adopt a common standard rather than be unique.

 

What about aproaching some other 2ft guage lines? The Leadhills & Wanlockhead looks like a similar operation to yours?

 

Does that ballast depth include the formation or not?
On the NYMR we usually opt for approx 150mm / 6 inch of ballast below the sleeper.
More in some places depending on local conditions, but 16 inch is a bit much.

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback, just what I needed.

As we can see I just picked some numbers out of thin air as I really wasn’t sure where to start.