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[quote user="ericboone"] Spline roadbed may not be the best choice for a helix because of the vertical thickness of the spline.  You have to add that thickness to the vertical climb of each loop.  Spline is typically 3/4" or even 1" thick.If I was going to build a helix, I would use a method I learned at the last club I was at before moving.  1/8" thick plywood was cut into 45 degree arcs of the appropriate radius.  Those arcs were laminated into a 1/4" thick sub-roadbed with the joints staggered by about 20 degrees.  This resulted in a strong, kink free, 1/4" thick helix sub-roadbed.  The track was laid directly on the sub-roadbed to help keep the thickness down and keep the grade minimized.  Roadbed (cork, Homabed, foam) isn't necessary as the helix is hidden track anyway.  The helix was held in place with 1x2 columns with notches every 45 degrees on both sides, although using nuts on threaded rods would work well too.[/quote]That sounds like a beautiful helix. I can almost see it in minds eye now.
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