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I like this second version a lot more! The lower level squiggly-mains suggest a main line through some rough topography, meaning some good chances for dramatic scenery, as well as a reason for the tunnel portals which will be necessary with all the hidden track. The only thing about hidden track, though, is that it is hidden. In other words, you're not going to be able to visually inspect it and find the trouble spots once it is below the scenery. You'll need to lay this track and ensure that it is absolutely flawless before hiding it; trust me, I've learned as much the hard way. One odd thing about your helix, though, is that the two main lines actually have traffic flowing in opposite directions. The same train will pass through on the outer track in one direction, then traverse the inner track in the opposite direction later. Obviously, real railroads would not do this, so it comes down to a compromise- do you scenic the two-track loop and treat it as part of the regular main line, or do you leave it somewhat "unfinished" to acknowledge that it doesn't represent a real railroad condition? There might be a way to have the outer track emerge from the helix one turn higher than the inner track, so that the top level (exposed) still only shows a single track instead of two, but of course this would be more difficult to build, and probably means a crossing ("diamond"). Another option might be to eliminate the inner loops altogether, and use the squiggly mountain main to climb a stiff grade (perhaps 3%) to get back up to table height. Again, you'd only climb up high enough to still duck under the outer loop, so you'd have to have a bit more climb beyond the helix before you got back to the yard. This would give you a helper district on the lower level- a run of mainline where you have to add in some helper engines at mid- or rear- train. Could be fun. Go ahead and try to expose as much of the lower level as you can; the upper level can be thinned into just a 6" wide shelf in places, to accomodate this. Old-skool model railroaders might not even differentiate between upper and lower, just have the same scenery serve both, but I'd be in favor of a trimmed edge or fascia of some type to separate them. Just my opinions! Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving.
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