Helix

[Flagler]

I need to build a helix,aprox 20" tall.What are the best practices

[Bfagan]

Check out Ashlin Designs, they make the best and can be any height you prefer.

[CrazyLynx]

I also need a helix.  I checked Ashlin Trains, but their website has been "closed for maintenance" for a couple of weeks at least.  Does anybody know if they are still in business?  (I haven't had time to call them yet)

[glakedylan]

first...what scale are you working in?
second, how much space do you have for the helix to fit it?
third, at what point of the circle in helix with entrance and exit tracks be?
thanks...
Gary

[John]

https://docs.google.com/a/faculty.umuc.edu/document/d/1sbEsXTiWltBCL1JdWwViiHhNkqC46tPUta-oLWLQHDQ/edit
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/4205

some good hints

[ednadolski]

What are the best practices

"Best Practice"  IMHO would be to take the time to learn and understand all the design principles & tradeoffs and how they apply to your specific situation.  There are no universally applicable answers, so if you rely on generic advice,  you may be setting yourself up for more problems later on.

Ed

[central.vermont]

I have a friend of mine who is an occasional poster nh5regt that has recently tore up his layout. He has a helix that needs a home that myself and mecfan built for him a couple years ago. I cannot remember the important things such as radius, height and turns but it does have C55 track on it with feeders soldered on. I have sent him an email and hopefully he will join in on this with his input.

Jon

[CodyO]

I`d recommend this for the helix!
http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?23400-CodyO-s-Layout-Build!-PRR-Northeast-Divison/page18&highlight=Helix

Unless you want to deal with the headache of a flex track helix
with kinking,expansion and reliability problems

[keeper]

I`d recommend this for the helix!
http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthr...unitrack+helix

Hmm, I get 'Not Found' ... 

Thomas

[sp org div]

Might be easier ways, but this is what I built on my layout... which could be used for some ideas.  Its a home brew design, 23" radius outside track, 22 1/2" inside track.  Original design was 9 turns from top to bottom at 20" of rise for the inside track (16" for the outside track), but has since been cut into a number of times to reduce the extended duration of time in the helix.  Reliability is 30-50 car trains depending on weight and type of cars (resin loads, empties, 40' / 50' etc).   No regrets here.  If I ever do it again, I will go with 24" min radius for longer train reliability, or an oval configuration if space were to permit.



Jeff
SP Oregon Division
http://espeeoregondivision.blogspot.com/

[ednadolski]

Very nice Jeff!   May I ask, what are the gradient and vertical clearance?   How long does it take for a typical train to go from bottom to top?

Ed

[sp org div]

Hey Ed,

The spacing between levels is 2", but the track and "L" bracket thickness lowers the overall clearance to 1-3/4".
The "L" brackets have slotted holes to fine tune the roadbed for any irregularities, but has needed little adjustment over its near 20 year life span... 
IIRC the gradients for inside and outside are 1.7 and 1.6% respectively. 
It consumes approx 100' of track from top to bottom in its original configuration, so that was close to 3 miles of track.... @ 60 scale mph, would be approx 3 minutes (how's my math?).
Layout modifications have cut four times into the original configuration to mitigate helix run time, along with a track realignment on the top section to improve operations.

Jeff

[rsn48]

Tim Horton who posts here frequently has a nice sort of tutorial - how he did it - that I think you could follow. I can send you to his site but I can't bookmark the exact page.  So once at his site, go to the "construction" section, then tab on "helix" and you'll see what he did.

http://www.bcrdawsonsub.ca/

To see the wiring for his helix, go to the "control and wiring" in the same construction site.

[CrazyLynx]

Just a quick follow-up regarding Ashlin Design.  They are still in business, but in the process of relocating from Utah to Arizona.  I heard from their CEO (Rodney Treadway) and the web site should be back online within the next week or so.  (edited - he said July 1st but I was going to give him some buffer just in case)

[wmcbride]

Just a quick follow-up regarding Ashlin Design.  They are still in business, but in the process of relocating from Utah to Arizona.  I heard from their CEO (Rodney Treadway) and the web site should be back online in the next week or so.

It was back up last night when I checked so if it's not today, it is making a comeback.