For gauge and check gauge checking, it is good practice and advisable to check the passage of various types of rolling stock through newly laid track work so that adjustments can be made before ballasting, particularly if working in O-MF, O-SF and ScaleSeven.

Ensuring the baseboards are flat and stable should be undertaken before track laying. This is difficult to resolve once the track is permanently fixed down. A good level surface to lay the track on will ensure better running. Power testing with a locomotive during commissioning will help eliminate dead spots and any short circuits. Using a very short wheelbase (reliable) loco is most effective. Deploying a short circuit buzzer during track construction is also helpful, so that any short circuit created during the work is quickly identified. Locating a short circuit on a fully completed layout (specially DCC where generally section switches are not used) can be time consuming and difficult to locate!