I'd like to get some opinions from the experts! (Other than not to build a helix... ;) )  I'm building a helix with track radii of 29 3/4" & 32".  It's going to have 8 1/2 turns with an additional on/off ramp for the outer track in the middle.

Here's where I'd like some input.  I'm putting C100 track directly on 3/4" Birch Plywood.  Should I solder every rail together, or every other rail?  Also, if I solder every rail, how many feeders would I need to put on?  I'm thinking one per turn.

Thanks in advance!

Hello all!  I've spent many hundreds of hours going through designing what I thought would be the perfect track plan for the area that I have.  I've solicited opinions and help from a few people.  Now I have a plan that I like, but I just want to make sure that there aren't any glaring deficiencies...

Hello all,

For those who are interested. Here is the start of my new plan. It was done in 3rd Planit and was a little difficult to get into a form that you all could see, but the part up top is the important bit. The yard / industrial area is based on the Yard at Mansfield, MA. If you look at Google Maps, and search for Mansfield and look wast of the junction of rt 140 and rt 106, move to the center of town and then follow the N-S line, which is Amtraks NE Corridor, you will see the yard north of the station on the west of the tracks.

The recent thread on degree curvature and compensated grades http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/946 had me wondering about things like the Bellina Drop.  Essentially it's a turnback at the end of a peninsula with a view block at the very end.  The general idea being to get people to not hang out there and get to the other side faster so they don't clog the aisles.