Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

need help with an elavation question?to help a friend.

545 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Thursday, December 30, 2004 3:39 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by darth9x9

Instead of a lift-out section, how about a lift-up section? One end would be hinged like on a bar (place where people drink). I would avoid the helix solution at all costs just to get over the door.



This to me is your best fix. I've seen it done, several articles have been written on it and if you check out John Wood's (Der5997) railimages sight there is a picture showing what he has done.

Helixes take up huge amounts of realestate. In terms of HO you would be looking at a
3' x 3' + block on each side of the door devoted to it. The swing arm be it up or out , would be my recommendation.

Fergie

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 665 posts
Posted by darth9x9 on Thursday, December 30, 2004 3:13 PM
Instead of a lift-out section, how about a lift-up section? One end would be hinged like on a bar (place where people drink). I would avoid the helix solution at all costs just to get over the door.

Bill Carl (modeling Chessie and predecessors from 1973-1983)
Member of Four County Society of Model Engineers
NCE DCC Master
Visit the FCSME at www.FCSME.org
Modular railroading at its best!
If it has an X in it, it sucks! And yes, I just had my modeler's license renewed last week!

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 7:46 PM
First of all, you don't indicate scale. A helix with a shelf layout is not practical in HO because a helix would need to be around 40 inches in diameter to accommodate an 18 inch radius curve, which is the smallest recommended for HO. As far as the grade is concerned, a 2-inch rise in 100 inches would be a two percent grade, which is the steepest recommended for HO scale. Anything steeper and you won't be able to pull anywhere near 10 pieces of rolling stock.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
need help with an elavation question?to help a friend.
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 6:25 PM
my friend has asked me for help on a question of elavation. he is starting a model railroad he has a room 15x10 aprox. He wants to build a shelf layout aprox 44"high around the wall. but has two obstacles in his way.He has a self and a doorway. (both at opposite ends) he is not sure about how to elevate the train above the doorway with a heilx . he wants to avoid a duck threw section or a lift out section as he would like to elavate it over the door entrance way. The shelf is midway between the two points of elavation and can help assist the reduction of the helix climb. I wondering is a climb to steep considering the short distance involved in the room dimentions . causing engines to over heat? can this be accomplished? is there a better answer? Back to elavation. can elavation rise be easily answered refering to a standerd section of flex track ? in order to create a 2% grade on a standard flex track (aprox 3") how much elavation would you need in a3"section? What would be the ideal overal average radius of the helix climb to be able to haul aprox 10 to 30 rolling stock continuiosly up and down this type of grade. aprox 30" of elavation. with out overheating? or does a properly layed radius and climb prevent overheating? any input would be appreciated thanks![:)]

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!