I'll try to clarify what I'm planning to do.
The track at Wantage is quite unlike normal chaired, cross sleepered track, and requires very different constructional methods.
I wanted soldered construction, metal and wood as appropriate, ( so no plastic, or glued structural joints ). I wanted the track panels to be free standing, to allow easier post assembly detailing, (so not built fixed to the baseboard.) I also wanted the track to be fixed and located in a way that would allow removal and accurate replacement while ancilliary work, like TOUs and uncoupling magnets, could be carried out.
The method I use is not my original idea; over the years there have been several similar examples in MRJ etc. What they all have in common is some means of raising the rail above the sleeper. So, in my case, each 'sub-sleeper' has two 'chairs' of 1/16th x 1/32 brass strip, soldered approximately to track gauge, as in photo 1.
Initially, the prepared rails are soldered as normal to 'sacrificial' sleepers, placed adjacent to the positions marked on the track plan. Once completed and tested, each track panel is removed, and sub-sleepers and their chairs are soldered to the underside of the rail, using the sacrificial sleepers as alignment guides. The redundant sacrificial sleepers are then removed. Points are a little more involved, but end up the same. I appreciate that this in effect means building the track twice, but there isn't an enormous amount, and I believe it to be the easiest and most reliable method.
The 1/16th gap between sleeper and rail foot can be filled on each side with suitable bass or lime stripwood, as in photo 2. 3/32 wide stock gives an apparent total baulk width of about 10", for plain track, while 1/8th gives 12" baulks for points. Wider stock for the switch and crossing timbers can be cut from sheet.
The panels will be fixed down to the sundeala trackbed using brass countersunk screws every fourth or fifth sleeper.
I hope some of the 'Hows' arising from the above outline will be clarified in later posts.