My track is pinned down. Yes I found the pins bent but by using a small twist drill to make a pilot hole, the problem goes away. My track is laid on pre-ballasted foam. Now, yes, I thought it would degenerate but it is now 4½ years old and still fine. The shoulders are loose ballast laid with ballast glue, a kind of PVA. Pins do allow for easy track vertical alignment if required.