The Transcontinental PRR

[eric220]

Isn't it a bit difficult laying track in a helix?

Yes.  That's why there haven't been more construction updates. 

That's also why eliminating one helix and reducing another to a simple turn and a half is so attractive.

[CodyO]

I mean you could just use unitrack in the helix 

[eric220]

Don't think it hasn't occurred to me. 

Really, after building the main helix and still facing into putting track on it, I'm ready to be done with helii.

[wazzou]

I mean you could just use unitrack in the helix 

Sure, if you had s small fortune to spend. 

[CodyO]

I think it was $200 for my 15" helix with the 15"/16 3/8" superelavated.
So yeah its the cost of another K4 but at least you get  reliable track for that K4 to run on.

[seusscaboose]

eliminate the helix... take another lap around the room on the outer wall

[wm3798]

Wouldn't it make more sense to lay the track on each level of the helix as it's installed?  I only had a small one, but that's what I did so I could make sure my solder joints were square and the alignment reasonably smooth.  I built it at the work bench, then installed it on the layout so I could reach all four sides without getting hung up in the corner where it lived.



I also took the opportunity to install soft fiberglas screening as flexible guard rails all the way up.  In the event of the inevitable derailment, cars wouldn't drop to the floor, but the screen allowed me to reach in without maiming myself.

Lee

[eric220]

For clarification, the main helix isn't going anywhere. It's built and track is being laid on it. Laying track in a completed helix is a little obnoxious, but it's doable. I'm talking about taking the plan from a total of four helixes to three, and reducing the two remaining helixes to a maximum of one and a half turns.

[eric220]

It occurs to me that some overall images might help.  First, the whole lower level:



My original plan was to have a helix going down to staging under the main helix (which connects the two display levels of the layout, and has been the subject of the "recent" construction photos).  The idea that I posted yesterday was to do this instead:



Here, I recolored some of the transition tracks to make their functions more clear.  The red tracks are the grade from staging to the display layout.  The blue track is the 1.5 turn helix up to the N&W interchange.

This plan also necessitates the addition of holdover tracks railroad west of Morrow, under the last turn of the main helix where the helix down to staging was originally supposed to go.  This allows for N&W trains and other trains local to the lower level to turn, and represents "Chicago" as an off-layout destination.  I've grown to like this little holdover yard. With it, and the turnaround above it at the Coors brewery, each of the two levels can easily be worked independently of the other.  It also gives me a path to just set a train running on the lower level and let it go while I'm doing something else, without having to commit to the 20-30 minutes that it's going to take to traverse the whole layout.

[mighalpern]

I'll get my sawzall warmed up eric 

[eric220]

I'll get my sawzall warmed up eric 

[eric220]

There was a request for me to post the full track plan.  I don't think it's a bad idea to repost it from time to time, just to keep everyone up to date with my musings, and to provide context for any discussion.

Upper level:



All of the track except the coach yard and engine terminal are in.

Lower level:



Only the engine facility and end of the arrival yard are built.

With that, I think I've done enough talking on the forums.  Off to the basement.

[eric220]

Got another turn and a half of helix track in. That means the helix track is half completed, and the mains have roughly reached Kansas City.



Plenty of helix track left to go, but progress is still encouraging. Another turn or two and I'll reach St. Louis! It'll be nice to have tracks in the region of the country where the historical PRR actually ran.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I see you watch TV on your ipad while working exactly as I do...

[davefoxx]

I see you watch TV on your ipad while working exactly as I do...

@Ed Kapuscinski,

Except that now that your new job allows you to work from home, you're really watching TV while you're supposed to be working.   

DFF