Garden scale track measures out at 4" 8 1/2" or U.S. standard gauge in 1/32 scale. The ties are normally to large though for the following reason...
Normally the ties that you see molded on most of the manufactures track is at a 1/24 scale for U.S. use or 1/22.5 for European use.
This represents what is referred to as Narrow gauge, or anything that in real life or 1/1 scale is narrower than the standard of 4" 8 1/2" from inside rail to inside rail. This is often 3' for U.S. use or 1 meter for European use.
Here is some further information to consider...
The Soviet rail distance from inside rail to inside rail was wider than the Western European standard gauge. In some cases I am told that this was close to 6'. As the Whermacht moved into Soviet territory the track was re-gauged to the narrower German standard.
The trackage in the industrial areas you are interested in were probably still the Soviet wide gauge, unless there was narrow gauge trackage for dedicated industrial use. This was common in both industrial, mining and mountainous areas all over the world.
Another thing to consider is that the rail weight and height of most commercially available track is far too heavy in scale.
I just started laying some ACW American track on wooden ties for a diorama and I used 1/48th scale nickel silver track that is much closer to what track should be in 1/32. remember to do your math and you will see very little difference between 1/32 and 1/30 scale track width and rail height.
Note also that North American track is secured to the wooden ties with a different system of cast steel tie plates and spikes than European track uses.
European track normally uses steel tie plate that are cast to use with lag style screws and clips. If you want to see an great movie that shows many of these details get a copy of 'The Train' starring Burt Lancaster set in occupied France during WWII.
Hope this helps some,
Ken Osen
