Fast Tracks

Soldered the first rail to pc ties in my fixture today with limited success. I think this will be a practice piece of track. Some questions:

1) The stock rail on a slip switch has the base removed in two locations for points which I did using a belt sander as suggested. The rail ended up curved in a slight vertical cuve so that it doesn't lie flat in the fixture. I should have tried to flatten it before soldering but am wondering if I'm doing something wrong in the fabrication of the rail?
2) Does the rail suppose to fit tight against the pc ties when soldering? I cleaned the fixture before starting but some of the ties were very loose under the rail.
3) I started soldering at the middle of the rail and worked out to the ends. Would starting at one end and working to the other end be a better order?

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

I haven't built a double slip yet, but I do code 40 rail turnouts. Seems to me with the limited space for the points, your better off removing the base with a file. Takes a few more minutes, but the control is much better.

Rob

PS mark the area with a sharpie pen, (any color)