Here is what I would suggest:
Be prepared to assign extra engines to get trains up that helix!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Joe
Modeling:
Providence & Worcester Railroad
"East Providence Secondary"
HO scale
36" x 36" are the current N Scale helix plans for the CR&T.
Here's a Forum Helix Jem, "aah the helix," that will answer many questions to come...
http://cs.trains.com/forums/2/1288809/ShowPost.aspx#1288809
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
davidmbedard wrote:I bet the thread you highlighted is a real Gem!
I bet the thread you highlighted is a real Gem!
Gem is Jem's fraternal twin.
Dad -
This is just for what it's worth, but I have built one helix and it will be my last. It was difficult for me to build (I'm not very experienced) and very cumbersome. It worked fine, but was impossible to scenic. I tore it out after a few days.
I'm not in the habit of discouraging anyone who wants to try something challenging, but it looks to me like you have plenty of room for a really nice N scale layout on one level. If I were you, I would seriously consider starting with a less challenging one level layout (which is not to say all the tracks have to be flat) with a provision to add a helix and second level later on if you want to.
On the other hand, if you really like the idea of a helix, go for it! Plenty of people less talented than you have built them quite successfully.
- Harry
mammay76 wrote: ...It has a 16" radius and 3" seperation between levels.so far so good, i have run these train lengths up and down quite a few times and havefound that i need 2 engines to take the trainup the grade smoothly. ...
...It has a 16" radius and 3" seperation between levels.so far so good, i have run these train lengths up and down quite a few times and havefound that i need 2 engines to take the trainup the grade smoothly. ...
If that 3" is between the ceiling and the floor inside the helix, and you are using 1/2" ply, that is a about a 3 1/2% grade.
If the 3" is between floors inside the helix and using 1/2" ply, then it is about a 3% grade.
A 16" radius is almost exactly 100" of track per revolution.
My idea is to use a minimum clearance (N-scale) of 1.75", 1/4" ply, and at a 16" radius = a grade less than 2% and a 2" change in height for each turn. More turns, more track, more need for "bullet-proof". It is to be built in a cabinet, accessible from at least three sides with hinged cabinet doors. In the center of the hollow, a thick foam pad. No hands need get in, just a stick to nudge derailed equipment over the edge into the foam.
I have a sentimental childhood track plan to rebuild intended as a un-prototypical peninsula that is 36" wide. The helix cabinet forms its base, and (as all childhood layouts should have tunnels) this layout happens to have a tunnel track at edge, that can be directed to a downward helix in the dead center of the layout.
By the way, realize that if your layout can have a dedicated downhill track, you can put that inside the radius of the climbing track-- as long as the inside radius can operate your equipment.
I offer for consideration, and I'm open to critique.
Crews
Hi Nik n Dad,
A Helix can be a lot of fun or a real pain in the backside.
There has been lots written about them, myself included.
Go to the search key at the bottom and type in Helix, there is more information there than you could need in three lifetimes.
My helix is a smaller one at 27" radius, 4.5 loops and quite steep at 4.25' per loop. It is my way up and down to Staging and engine facilities and some industries. It works fine with 12-14 cars but the trains have to be double headed. One loco just can't handle it. But gives a great reason for a helper station. My article in there tells about a RMC article about using all straight material and cutting 22.5% on the ends to form your curvature. Much less waste of material that way.
The Grand Daddy of them all is the one that Mark Brunton built. I think he was trying to get to the pearly gates by train..
Put your best trackwork here, practise in your yards first. You can't believe how fast a car or the rest of the train goes down it into oblivion when a coupler fails or a derailment. You end up with lots of workbench repairs to get things back up and running again (hopefully not always)
Good luck
Johnbot out..............
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Here's my own helix in HO:
This link tells you how I built it: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.com/CM%20-%20Behemoth%20Helix.htm
Most of the info is applicable regardless of scale.
Make the radius as large as you can. It will help when it comes to stringlining and making it up the grade. Remember that the drag in a curve increases the apparent grade of any rise. Your train length will suffer. A larger radius not only reduces the actual grade, but it reduces the effect of the curve drag, and makes stringlining less likely.
There are several downsides to a helix: First, in a big one (like mine), trains will stay out of sight for a long period of time; Second, they hear up a lot of real estate, especially the large radius ones; and third, they use up an amazing large amount of track!
If you'll be a the Mid-Eastern Region convention in Reston, VA in October this year, I'll be giving a clinic on helix design. Drop by - maybe I'll say something helpful!
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton