The Split Helix is going in and the start of the Main Helix (Basin & Green Valley)

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Sun, 2012-07-01 18:28 — AzBaja

The end of the stage yard that feeds the entire layout.

This is the south end of what I call the split Helix. The North end of the split Helix will be at the upper right of the photo just past the town of Basin. You can also see the the bench work for Green Valley is not built yet. Green Valley will fit above the twin 1x4 spine you can see to the right and cover the interchange track with the white box car.

You can see the 2 tracks that will use the main Helix here run under the South end of the Split helix. The track that turns to the left is the feed into the split Helix. This track will take you to Basin.

Basin and the future home of Blue Circle Cement.

You can now see the north end of the split Helix and Green Valley is now in place to the left. The 2 lower interchange tracks for the copper ore mines snakes under Green Valley.

Messy but this is the north end of the split Helix.

Blue Circle Cement and Limestone mine area.

Green Valley. Once the divider is built you will not be able to see Green Valley from this side. The train is sitting on the main after it comes out of the north end of the split Helix and will run on a ridge that can be seen from Basin but not from Green Valley.

Fruita Feed COOP in Green Valley

Valley Growers and the end of the Main. Still have car cards with a place to go but no way to get there.

Testing fitting the 1st loop of the main Helix

And then the Main Helix.

Comments

That is one great looking helix.

Sun, 2012-07-01 20:04 — arthurhouston

Whole layout is looking very good. I do not use plaster in any form any more but that my thing since I found Cal Coat 127.

Art Houston

Grande Pacific RR

ahouston3@charter.net

Nice layout pictures

Mon, 2012-07-02 06:34 — Bernd

Nice pictures, 1 picture a thousand words, 15 pictures 15,000 words.

Have to agree with Art, one great looking helix. Have you tried letting a car free roll down the that helix? I know I would do it.

BTW that's a neat way of building that helix with those dadoed side pieces. The pictures explained it all. No need for many words to describe how you did that.

One question though. How did you figure out where to cut the dadoes on each piece to make a nice and steady grade?

Bernd

New York, Vermont & Nothern Rwy. Co. & Otter Creek Falls Coal & Lumber Co.

Who's John Galt?

I have a couple of questions

Mon, 2012-07-02 07:47 — Teddo62

I have a couple of questions and a concern with your helix. First let me say the split helix is a very clever use of the Woodland Scenics incline system. :) My questions are as follows:

1) Your main helix looks very large. What are the heights of your bench work levels and how many levels are you using?

2) Looks like the main helix is and Ashland Designs Helix kit. Is this correct?

My concern is what I can gather from what you wrote in this blog entry is that you are placing that large main helix inside the split helix on that peninsula. If you have a derailment and equipment falls to the inside how will you recover them? I see access problems here. Also potential maintenance headaches.

Thanks for sharing your posts! :)

Regards,

Ted Diiorio

http://maparr1943.blogspot.com/

Ditto...

Mon, 2012-07-02 09:05 — JohnnyUBoat

I agree with Ted. The kit is a nice touch but I don't see any way for you to reach in and retrieve a lost car... or an entire train.

Also, the height, as Ted mentioned, of the helix looks to be a bit much. The track looks to be discernibly N-scale so why such a large separation in levels?

Great concept, though and I can already imagine how this will looked when finished - and it looks good!

-Johnny

Freelancing the Plainville, Pequabuck and New London Railroad

well, Yes I Have

Tue, 2012-07-03 18:42 — AzBaja

Yes, I have let a few cars down the Helix. Some cars can pick up lots of speed before the bottom.

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