I really appreciate this video, as I only have a small bedroom to build in - approx 8 ft x 12 ft / 2.5 m x 3.7 m - with slopped ceilings starting at 45 in / 114 cm above floor level, and need a 2 level stacked layout, and need a helix to move my trains from one level to the next. * subscribed *
Thanks for your comment and for watching! Not sure I would recommend a helix in a small place like that. Just centerline to centerline of my helix is six feet across. A gentleman by the name of Dan Dossa has a double deck layout depicting the Minnesota Commercial RR in a similar space to yours. He chose not to connect the decks. I am told that this layout can keep a couple guys busy operating for several hours.
I built a helix almost step by step identically to your techniques, so, I can heartily endorse this project. The only real difference for me was I used 27" radius curves with code 83 Atlas track due to space limitations and lots of flex track recycled from a previous layout. That sharp curve hasn't given me any issues in case someone has reservations about it. Just don't go over 2% grade. Beautiful work!
@avlisk The radius debate is a double edge sword in both directions. My code 100 track was used also. Was a major $$$ saver and has been on the remainder of the staging level. I follow on the grade thing. My helix is part of my continuous running concept, so it has to be reliable. Not that operation of the layout is any less so...
@derekalexander4030 thanks! I had a great place to start with the groundwork Jeff J laid. Had to use a little imagination to adapt his design to my needs, but we got it done!
Nice design and construction. That radius should be great for what you are doing. The less successful examples that I have seen try to do it in too small of a space, but you have a great layout space. I wish we had room for one but we definitely do not!
@TwoRailfans Thanks! I recognized early on that reliability should be given priority. I could afford the space for a 36' radius helix, but I'd rather not have built one at all, hadn't it been for my requirement for continuous running. I do feel for you Texan MRRs who lack basements. It seems space is at a premium no matter what part of the country you're in. The trick is to strike a balance. You guys are lucky in some ways because you have a smaller space to achieve perfection in!
@achb-railway Of course. The aim is to dedicate as little space as practical. I'd have gone smaller too if I thought I could get by with it! Thanks for watching and for your kind words!
@sparky107107 Absolutely! I love and hate mine. I did think about double track on the helix. Could go into an entire episode about why I only single tracked mine. In short, I wanted simplicity. I'm modeling light branch line on ~60lbs jointed rail in dark territory. Not really any requirement for double track!
@sparky107107 I suspect that's the way most designs that call for a helix do it. I had some special design considerations that allowed a single track. Milo and I just operated on a layout with a double track helix. th-cam.com/video/WQnt5vHEsGs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CHvBnXdAgskTsY4Y The helix part runs like a Swiss watch.
@stevedrake360 36" radius, so 72" diameter. That is to the centerline of the single track on the helix. The actual footprint of the benchwork is a little bigger than that as my track plan called for three loops outside of the diameter of the helix.
@randysrockandrollrailroad8207 Thanks Randy! I might have a RI project coming up. I can't talk about it yet because my client hasn't given me the specifics.
I really appreciate this video, as I only have a small bedroom to build in - approx 8 ft x 12 ft / 2.5 m x 3.7 m - with slopped ceilings starting at 45 in / 114 cm above floor level, and need a 2 level stacked layout, and need a helix to move my trains from one level to the next. * subscribed *
Thanks for your comment and for watching! Not sure I would recommend a helix in a small place like that. Just centerline to centerline of my helix is six feet across. A gentleman by the name of Dan Dossa has a double deck layout depicting the Minnesota Commercial RR in a similar space to yours. He chose not to connect the decks. I am told that this layout can keep a couple guys busy operating for several hours.
I built a helix almost step by step identically to your techniques, so, I can heartily endorse this project. The only real difference for me was I used 27" radius curves with code 83 Atlas track due to space limitations and lots of flex track recycled from a previous layout. That sharp curve hasn't given me any issues in case someone has reservations about it. Just don't go over 2% grade. Beautiful work!
@avlisk The radius debate is a double edge sword in both directions. My code 100 track was used also. Was a major $$$ saver and has been on the remainder of the staging level. I follow on the grade thing. My helix is part of my continuous running concept, so it has to be reliable. Not that operation of the layout is any less so...
Great job on the helix.
Thanks!!!
You did a really nice job on the helix.
@derekalexander4030 thanks! I had a great place to start with the groundwork Jeff J laid. Had to use a little imagination to adapt his design to my needs, but we got it done!
Nice work,looks solid
@davebnsfnscale4433 Thanks Dave! We'll see for sure when we get the town of Deadwood laid out!
Nice design and construction. That radius should be great for what you are doing. The less successful examples that I have seen try to do it in too small of a space, but you have a great layout space. I wish we had room for one but we definitely do not!
@TwoRailfans Thanks! I recognized early on that reliability should be given priority. I could afford the space for a 36' radius helix, but I'd rather not have built one at all, hadn't it been for my requirement for continuous running.
I do feel for you Texan MRRs who lack basements. It seems space is at a premium no matter what part of the country you're in. The trick is to strike a balance. You guys are lucky in some ways because you have a smaller space to achieve perfection in!
Nice job on the helix. I just built one myself last week - mine is a lot tighter than yours, but it suits the rolling stock I'm using.
@achb-railway Of course. The aim is to dedicate as little space as practical. I'd have gone smaller too if I thought I could get by with it! Thanks for watching and for your kind words!
thing with a helix, you love them or hate them, you made yours big enough for a double line, why did you only do a single track ?
@sparky107107 Absolutely! I love and hate mine. I did think about double track on the helix. Could go into an entire episode about why I only single tracked mine. In short, I wanted simplicity. I'm modeling light branch line on ~60lbs jointed rail in dark territory. Not really any requirement for double track!
I did double track in my helix, one is to go up and the other down @@blackhillsandeasternrailroad
@sparky107107 I suspect that's the way most designs that call for a helix do it. I had some special design considerations that allowed a single track. Milo and I just operated on a layout with a double track helix. th-cam.com/video/WQnt5vHEsGs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CHvBnXdAgskTsY4Y The helix part runs like a Swiss watch.
I may have missed it but what is the diameter of your helix?
@stevedrake360 36" radius, so 72" diameter. That is to the centerline of the single track on the helix. The actual footprint of the benchwork is a little bigger than that as my track plan called for three loops outside of the diameter of the helix.
@@blackhillsandeasternrailroad Thanks, it looks great!
@stevedrake360 Thank you sir! We will enjoy it even more when there is somewhere to go at the top!
👍🤠👍
@randysrockandrollrailroad8207 Thanks Randy! I might have a RI project coming up. I can't talk about it yet because my client hasn't given me the specifics.