building a z scale helix 4 track with 2% grade what should i make the radius and how much spaceing between layers
Dunno why you would want to build a FOUR track helix. Two tracks, one up, one down, ought to be plenty. Spacing between layers need to be enough to pass high cars, say double stacks, PLUS room for a hand to reach in and rerail trains when necessary. I am in HO so I don't know how high Z-scale is, but a hand ought to have at least an inch and a half. Radius must be AT LEAST the minimum radius for Z-scale, what ever that is. It would be nice to be able to stand up inside your helix to work on it, lay track, paint, whatever. Call that 2 and half to three feet.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
A 19° radius in Z scale would be 1’ 4½”. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
RR_MelA 19° radius in Z scale would be 1’ 4½”.
That would be a little tight to stand inside the helix. But then the reason to model in z scale is you don't have 3' of room for a helix.
The OP needs to know that the curve increases the effective grade (and the ability of the locos to pull the cars) There is a formula for that in HO 32/R where r is the radius in inches. I think the constant (32) is different for different scales and I don't know if John Armstrong ever dealt with Z scale.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
HenryI use the Handy Converter from Stan’s Trains for all my RR formulas, a lot easier than having to use my 83 year old brain.The converter Z 19° 1’4½” curve is = 3’ 3¾” radius in HO.Not having any info from the OP I guessed on the input to the Handy Converter.This is the results from my input. Click to enlarge. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.