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Helix track laying

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 26, 2005 6:21 PM
does any one have a link for a good article on making a helix?
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Monday, September 26, 2005 4:30 PM
I'm not exactly sure what you are asking here. I've always found that the best way to lay track on a helix, is as you go. Build a section of the structure, up to one full turn, then lay the track. It is too difficult to work in confined space. The trick is to get it right while you have access.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Northern Ca
  • 1,008 posts
Posted by jwar on Monday, September 26, 2005 4:05 PM
Hi Johnny..
You will get more then one way to do it. Heres what I did. I elected not to use cork and I nailed to the 3/4 ply. Main reason to not use cork ( my openion) is that I wanted to drop the grade or incline a tad. Due to the hot weather and humid winters, i nailed the track just enought to hold the curve, so that the track could move side to side a tad. I also routed out a grouve on the top of the plywood to just accept the wires, so that the instalation would be clean and no wires underneath or cause any problems with trains or cleaning the track.

Sodered each joint and made sure each helix had excellent layed track, as I did not want problems later on, only then would I start the next layer. Found that running trains backwards up the helix showed a few bad spots...then as I said above, then started another layer. Take you time and do the best job possable...A well fabricated Helix is a joy...

Take care... John
John Warren's, Feather River Route WP and SP in HO
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Christchurch New Zealand
  • 1,525 posts
Posted by NZRMac on Monday, September 26, 2005 2:40 PM
Hello fellow Kiwi!!

Ken.
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: New Zealand
  • 3 posts
Helix track laying
Posted by wgtnjazz on Monday, September 26, 2005 2:36 PM
hello MRs
I'm putting a helix in on my SP cascade railway, the structure I'm having no probs and the corks down on the first layer but the question is - what is the best way to lay the track down?
Johnny[:(]

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