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Multi-Level Layouts...Anybody?
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Big_Boy_4005: <br /> <br />Glad you mentioned the spacing for the wiring. We nearly forgot all about the wiring with all of our other concerns.I've now added that to our list of things to keep track of with the helix. Most of our club layout wil follow the walls. This requires that the two levels both traverse through the two restrooms. to get from one end of the building to the other. This means that both levels will travel through about 20 foot of tunnel area in order to traverse through both (back to back) restrooms. Have no fear, we have a camera car, but the restroom tunnels will not feature clear walls to permit 'restroom viewing'. The tunnels through the restrooms (back to back restrooms) will feature access doors to the tracks in the event of a derailment or "track related incidents". These tracks will also feature at least three code 83 re-railer tracks in each line to help rerail trains, if necessary, without having to access them. The track in the 'restroom tunnels' will be level and have only a gentle curve (very minor, almost non-existent) in them to facilitate some line up problems we encountered with the walls. Though the building is about 30 ft by 60 ft, we (do to the wall and door arrangements) do not have the wall space to attempt the 'dogbone helix' design you described (good idea, though). Wish I could supply a picture of the layout design and building/wall plans. We also will have plenty of scenery. With the oval shaped helix design ideas, we plan on extending the oval (somewhat) in one loop such that the track pops out of the "helix mountain" into view on a trestle or similar effect. It would get pretty boring for your train to disappear for 1-2 minutes out of view in the helix. At current state, we are looking at about 1-1/2 scale miles of track (apporcimately) in each helix. We've computed the grade to be about 2% to 2.1% 9depending whether you are on the inner or outer most track in the helix). We just want to be as sure as possible that most of the trains belonging to club members will be able to haul a reasonable number of cars through the helixes, without the need for "helpers" all the time. Also, the mainline track spacing is a concern of ours. We do not want it too wide, as that reduces the inner track radius. Yet, it cannot be too close, as some of the cars and/or locomotives with over hang (85 ft cars and passenger cars) may contact each other between the mainlines. <br /> <br />I can't thank you enough for reminding us about the space between loops being enough for the wiring. That would have 'killed us' to have fogotten about that! <br /> <br />thanks <br /> <br /> <br />
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