Because the stairs are not in the center of the basement, and because I plan on having multiple levels (including staging yard decks) , in order to enter into the layout space will require the tracks to cross in front of the stairs.  If it was just one deck, a simple swing bridge or lift out section would be the most practical, but that isn't really practical as it is normally done in this situation. 

The lowest track is 18" off the ground, so a duckunder is not a possible solution either.

hi to all , new to this trying to find out as much as poss as i go on , i am currently making baseboard then i am putting 1/2" plywood on top , i would like to put sheet of polystyrene on next but as the layout is permanent i would like to pin it through the foam rather than glue it as i am sure to have problems and dont want to be ripping track up because it has been glued and messing the sheets up, has anyone any ideas on what to do or am i doing it completely wrong.a link to website or something showing exactly how to do it would be brill or is there something in this mag

Hello all...

I have seen this talked about before. I am getting ready (very close) to placing my subroadbed onto the second deck of my layout. I am considering going with 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch 5 or 7 ply sheets of ply wood. Over this I am going to place cork sheeting I have purchased. I am going to use this in the yards, but I am also going to cut strips for the road bed of of the mainline and sidings. But I have been considering possibly doubling this up by putting 2 layers of cork.

Has anyone built a helix using masonite/hardboard spline?

It seems like all the pictures and discussions regarding helix construction involve using plywood.  There seem to be lots of pros and cons to either method - plywood vs spline.  But I'm worried that I am overlooking something that makes plywood the preferred choice.