In his book, John Armstrong on Creative Layout Design, John Armstrong describes two types of elevators. I intend to use a variant of his, "Dehydrated canal lock," to overcome a vertical offset of about a foot, and another variant to drop an otherwise inaccessible hidden staging yard to provide emergency access. The yard is scheduled for construction this summer, while the other elevator is rather farther in the future.
I have the space for a helix that could eliminate the planned operational elevator. I also have other, more urgent, uses for that space. I also don't wish to deal with the long run (both distance and time) the helix would require.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
If you have the length available but not the width try a train elevator between levels. There was an article on building one in MR a few years ago. You will need to search out the issue.
-John
Or if you have the money you can buy one at http://www.ro-ro.net/ (neat)
Take a look at the article in the April 2008 edition of Model Railroader by Jeff Johnson (pp 52-55); "Construct a simple and reliable helix." Although this helix was not designed to be moved, the benchwork is very solid and sits on four 2"x2" legs. If castors were placed on the bottom of the legs, the helix could be moved. I would attach the helix benchwork to the layout benchwork with a couple of 1/4" carriage bolts with wing nuts.
JIM
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
The detachable helix is for 'Space Accomodations' because I do not have the space for a stationary helix, and a detachable helix makes more sense in the given situation.
And I also know that this helix will need to be HEAVILY REINFORCED because it will be twisted and turned alot, and also the humdity factor and aging of the wood.
Black Sheep 25
Black Sheep's back!
I am in the middle of designing my B&O layout and I have reached a snag and I need some help.
I have at least 4 feet clearance for a aisle but my secondary mainline to Springfield goes to a staging area under my main deck. When it came to figuring out what I could use to connect the staging area with the main deck everyone told me one thing or another, but some one told me something that was interesting: Detachable Helix.
Has anyone heard of anything like this before? If they have, has it worked and how would you build it and make it work.
Any info, thanks.