Nice to have the space for 40" minimum curves! I also remove the outside two ties.
I’m at the point where I’m gluing ties back into the gaps. Slow and tedius!
A long time ago, one of the forum members taught me a great trick. Replace the Xacto knife #11 blade with a spade shaped blade and shave off the plastic spikes. Slide the replacement ties under the gap. The ballast will hold the ties firmly in place.
Rich