As mentioned, I use track gauges and rulers and spike every tie in my handlaid trackwork. I also keep a freight truck (wheelset) handy to test what I've just laid. But then I have a couple of additional tests, which I'm sure many other modelers also use. I run my most "tempermental" car over the trackage, particularly the switchwork, to smoke out any problems. In my case the car is a passenger coach which actually could stand a little additional weight. I'll hold off correcting the weight, however, until I've tested my track. This car is adept at finding the smallest flaw; for example, if the gauge needs a slight widening at the switchpoints where the diverging stock rail has its "kink."
Finally, I like to couple two or three freight cars together and push them back and forth through the switchwork. They aren't as finicky as the coach, but it's a good test nevertheless.
Handlaying track (for me, at least) is very time-consuming, but the time is well spent if it means not having derailments.
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