How does one make a durable grade crossing?

[dhtrain]

Greetings,

I'm fairly new to this hobby and this is my first post, so hopefully I won't sound too ignorant. I'm in the process of putting in a small track and I'd like for it to cross over a paved driveway. I'm in a northern climate so the crossing will need to withstand winters (and a snow plow). I've outlined what I'm thinking about doing below, but I'd prefer to just do it once so I'd appreciate any advice. Does anyone have any recommendations for how to get a durable crossing?

I using aluminum rail, but I was considering using steel bar stock for the crossing, with occasion steel "ties" welded in place to maintain the gauge. The road is banked (around 4 percent grade), so I'm guessing I'll need to take out a few feet on either side of the track to make an apron that will transition into the track. I was thinking about using concrete to create the crossing. It would come up flush to the top of the rail and cover the steel ties, just leaving small grooves for the wheels to pass.

Thanks in advance.

Darren

[Harlock]

Howabout doing what they do in real life for durable, long lived crossings, that is use metal plates in the pavement around the tracks?

[pockets]

If the crossing is straight, an eight inch I-beam, cemented in flush, works well.

Greg B.

[CALS Member]

At my club they put about 6 to 8 sections of rail along inside the track. This has held up pretty well over the years.