How to build a helix for your model railroad [Trainroom]

Need to gain a lot of height in little place on your layout. Build a helix and this video show you how.
Website of the idea: www.stayathome...
Excel sheet: www.stayathome...

[@nascargraham]

Well done with the helix. Thank you for showing how this is done, and the mathematics involved.

[@michaeljago6620]

I always thought making a helix looked too complex but the idea of using a hexagon makes it look a lot simpler I may try this.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Fantastic idea for building a helix

[@RAMezzone]

Thanks, this inspired me to construct a free-standing hexagonal helix, although I used a scale drawing (in Word actually) instead of the formulae. Ok I made a few mistakes & getting the spacer rod holes to line up wasn't easy.
I'm happy with the result though so thanks once again for posting the idea.

[@melissanewton7462]

A very good idea and some fantastic work there. I am not sure I have the space but will give it a lot of thought as a lower level for me is very much desired besides which It would allow me to get a track through a tunnel and running around my garden !

[@IronHorseBrian]

Very interesting yet effective way of building a helix. I have seen the rods before but not the geometric. I made one with a collapsing oval so the model would be exposed a portion of the time. I'm n scale. New sub. I enjoyed watching. Your trains look like they are running very well. A little jealous. Keep the good videos coming! Brian

[@thetrainroom]

Thank you. As I said in the video, I didn't invent that method, I just made a tutorial video.
We keep the speed of trains on the higher side, so that they run fine. There is a video about my N-scale US Layout on the channel.

[@cprtrain]

This is very well done.
Thanks for posting.

[@peterstecks7660]

Thank you. Excellent work.

[@johnnyseeds9688]

Right on!

[@richardlangellotti6208]

I may have missed it, but what is the thickness of the wood used? Thanks.

[@thetrainroom]

Two sheets of 4 mm plywood.

[@andrewdonald2770]

Thnk you for sharing. I am about to start a similar journey. Two points I am not clear about and perhaps you can help me. In the video you mention a height of 30cm and I am not sure what this measurement is for and where you use it? Secondly, when putting the helix beds on to the threaded rod, how do you know wht the correct end height is for the bed? Thank you

[@thetrainroom]

30 cm is between the lower level (60 cm above ground), and the medium deck (90 cm above ground). The helix stars around 45 cm above ground, this there is a ramp to get to it anyway.
The helix total raising is around 15 cm.
The helix raises 10 cm per turn. There is a rod every 30 degree, so you can calculate how much it should raise at every step.

[@andrewdonald2770]

@@thetrainroom Thank you, I understand now.

[@number6990]

Can you please post a link to the spreadsheet you found?

[@thetrainroom]

stayathome.ch/Downloads/Gleiswendel.xls

[@herrkiwi3110]

Hi, firstly thanks for sharing this video it was very helpful, do you think the helix would be as successful using the Marklin 2221 & 2231 curves ? with a 3.0 & 3.5% grade ? I wish I had as much room as you to work with :-)

[@thetrainroom]

If you run with shorter trains than I do, it will definately work. My uncle build a helix with C-track R1 and R2. If you have some room, I would use C-track R2 and R3. Then you are on the safe side to run non Märklin rolling stock.

[@herrkiwi3110]

Thanks for the reply , unfortunately the 2231 is the biggest radius I can use in the space I have. Ok I see your point , it changes the grade significantly , Thanks. Still probably not enough space unfortunately.

[@thetrainroom]

I would use C-Track instead of K-Tracks. To decrease the grade you can build some straight tracks between the half circles. Unfortunately you would have to cut to different size of the sheets.

[@sandersvillemodelrr7539]

what is the web site for hexigon

[@thetrainroom]

Look in the comments: www.stayathome.ch/gleiswendel.htm

[@JohnJerez]

Hey ,if anyone else trying to find out building your model railroad try Stiklind Model Train Fixer (do a google search ). I´ve heard some incredible things about it and my mate got excellent success with it.

[@laurensantos885]

See video tracks clear car - th-cam.com/video/47PLjtAEu6g/w-d-xo.html