Howdy everyone, Has anyone used a helix in their layout? Can it be used in place of a wye?
Freelancing MCRR/NYC Northern Division - Angelo
No, it can't be used in place of a wye, but it CAN be used to make a very long tail so that you can turn a very long train. I did this on my last layout. To turn a train, you must have a loop at one end, preferrably two (for most of us), or you must have a wye. More sophisticated and involved would be a rotating cartridge at the end of a track off the edge of the layout.
The wye on my last layout wasn't the conventional curved triangle, but the scissors type where the two sides end up crossing partway along their lengths where they meet. My tail for that wye was the curved descent to my staging below the layout's main surface. That curved route was the 'basement' route under my helix and descended at the same grade as the helix ascended above it. Worked very well.
I show the scissors wye just below the circle at left, that being the helix.
Thanks for the advise, I greatly appreciate it! You had a good idea staging your rolling stock under your layout. I love a busy,long yard, but reality is it sucks up room. Keeping a small funtional yard on the upper level and storage yard underneath was something I didn't cross my mind. I am in the planning stages now and with so many great ideas I read about and see here it tough. I belive I'm going 8x4 going across to another 8x4 with a 6x3. Thanks again Obi Wan - regards Angelo :-)
I have a 2 track helix on my layout. It's in one corner, and there are no duckunders. Staging tracks are below and I have a freight yard on top. The majority of trains start from staging, head up the helix, then get routed to either the yard or certain areas that accept dedicated trains (intermodal, auto racks, Tropicana Juice train).
Hope the video gives you a perspective of my layout.
Neal
Hi Neal,
Would you be so kind as to send me a link to your video I am eager to view it? It won't seem to load up, Thank you Angelo.
Hi Angelo,
message sent to you... Here is the link as well..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_P2tSUDxp0
Good Day Neal,
THANK YOU!! very inpressive layout, I believe it was all analog? It looks like you're also using the lower level as part of your overall diorama. I am fortunate that my wife is an art major and she is geeked to help me with the scenery. I see you mentioned Morris Plains, I used to live in Bloomsbury NJ along the old Lehigh Valley Route into Phillipsburg. I am still in the design phase, I want wrestling with modeling the Michigan Central/New York Central/Soo Line or Lehigh Valley/PRR or taking the sections I like from each and making "my own road". It is a taxing decision, but I have unearth my old collection of rolling stock and loco's cleaned oiled and loved them and added 25 or or "new" ones from ebay. I am looking into putting DCC in my older locomotives, but that's a discussion for another day. Pardon my rambling - Thank you again Neal - Happy modeling Warm Regards Angelo
Glad you enjoyed watching my video. The layout is 20'x20' around the room, no duckunders. Most of the lower level, with the exception of the area by 'Morris Plains' is for staging trains. 9 Full staging tracks, 8 stub staging tracks. Morris Plains has a station and 4 stub tracks that will be used for commuter trains.
The layout is DCC and I use an NCE Pro Radio system. Each level has its own 5 AMP booster, and the engine facility on the lower level (in construction stages) will have its own 5AMP booster.
I model mostly modern, heavy freight, but will add passenger trains to the operating mix down the road. I run the passenger trains for friends and kids who come over as they dont understand operating trains vs. 'playing' with trains, LOL!
Let me know if you have any other questions and hopefully I've inspired you with some ideas.
Neal from NJ via LI
There are lots of ways to get extra features out of a helix. I have built a double helix with a passing track, runarounds and hidden wyes on several levels. I have a PDF on helix construction pointers that I would be glad to share with you (and any other forum members who want to see it). Send me a private message and I’ll forward it to you.
You can see my helix by clicking on the link in my signature and going to the layout tour section. There is also a picture of it in Tony Ks book on double deck layouts.
Have fun,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Nickel Plate RoadI belive I'm going 8x4 going across to another 8x4 with a 6x3.
It sounds like you have room to make the benchwork a bit wider on portions of the the larger sections (if you can walk all the way around). 4-foot width will permanently constrain your radius (assuming HO).
Allowing the benchwork to grow a bit wider at the turnback curves will allow wider radii that will run more types of equipment more reliably. Just because Home Depot sells the sheet stock 4-feet-wide doesn't mean that you must build that way -- they also sell saws.
Good luck with your layout.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Hey There California, It's a tough call - 8x4 with a 6x4 crossover to another 8x4. The more I read and conversations I have with more experenced modelers I am considering wider "ends" (to accommodate a UP Mountian Type and a UP Big Boy) with say 3 foot wide going around I would also have a lower level for storage/staging etc. Lastly I enjoyed your humor, gave me good laugh here at work. Have a great weekend
Neil,
Maybe I missed it, but what scale is your railroad?
Thanks
Hi South Penn,
I'm in HO scale