Benchwork and roadbed

Helix grade and radius?
I'm working on an ho layout and I'm going to need two helixes to go to my double ended staging under the layout. I only need to go down about one foot. I need to know what the grade should be and how wide the curves should be? I'm running big articulated steam and I want the helixes to clear double stacks should I want to run them. I could probably pull off a 36 inch diameter for the curves, is that good? What do you think?

Module / Section Alignemnt with T-nuts
Has anyone tried the method at the link below for aligning modules / sections with T-nuts?
Seems like a cost effective, ingenuitive way to do it, but I'm not sure how precise the alignment is (tolerance) for HO scale, when I'm drilling out the t-nuts myself.
Roadbed sequence and depth
Apologies if there is an existing discussion in this that I have not found in the search.
Apology to fellow modelers
When I first got into modeling and looked at all the pictures out there one thing I always noticed was how messy all the benchwork was. I told myself I wouldn't be that messy.
Now I have learned, you need to drag a lot of crap out to lay roadbed and track!
Sorry everyone,
Jim
Solution for ballast color darkening when dried
Anyone have a solution to ballast darkening when dried using traditional method of wetting ballast and applying scenic cement or diluted white glue? My ballast is the right color but when dry it is significantly darker? Solution anyone?
Gap Masters ? Anybody using these?
Does anybody have experience with Gap Masters? Product is shown here;http://Americantieandtimber.com/4.html
For those layouts that must be built "moveable" or a portion of the layout moved after you are done with the layout for the day this would seem to be a way to go. I'm curious to know from experienced users of the product what their opinion is.
Need ideas for a backdrop
I'm a bit frustrated. I need to install a double sided backdrop on my layout (13" tall), and thought I could use foam-core poster board. It was rigid enough, but when I painted it, it started to curl. Anyone have a suggestion on how to fix that, or do I need to try another material?
Benchwork Draft Plan
Hi guys-
I am new here and wanted to share some things. I've been away from MRRing for more than 35 years, and more and more over the last few months, I've been getting the itch to re-enter the hobby. WOW! Lots of new stuff to learn, but more importantly, there are more resources (thank you, Internet...).
need some help with a sound barrier
ok so last year the wife bought me an ho scale layout off craigslist as a surprise xmas present but since we live in a small studio apartment i need a way to lessen the sound of the trains moving on the track so i dont get noise complaints i have no intentions of running the track after 11pm so heres some info about the layout.
Preparation for photo backdrops
To prepare the fiberboard backdrop do I need to treat the joints as if it were a Sheetrock wall (taping, mud etc) or can I just spackle and sand the joints? Experience?
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