Hello all, I have been mulling the idea around between N and HO, i still haven't decided but its looking more to the smaller scale. My design constraints started as a 8x2, but now include the extra 3x3 for a helix to get more usable area on a second level. Looking to be using newer stuff maybe 80's to present but i am not set on a exact time frame. Layout is freestyle, not copying anything. Roads are undecided, but likely Canadian based. Now to the attached image. (N scale buildings are lacking so ignore the missuses, they are merely place holders) The upper level is whats showing, lower i have not started. I have 6 Industry's included, The only one i'm set on having is the grain mill. Roads are roughed in, considering parking lot on the lower road between factory placements. The narrow section will get a track rework to move the right side switch closer to the factory enough to give road clearance. Yard office to have a switcher for local use Lower level is planed to have Engine house, RIP, sorting yard and interchange to imaginary destinations... maybe. Thoughts guys? do you foresee any issues? Cheers, Joe
Hi Joe, I like what you have for the upper level as it will give you some interesting options switching and moving cars to industries. On the helix let me throw out a couple ideas as I spent a lot of time thinking about if I wanted a helix in my layout. I decided against in my case but have seen some on layouts that I really like the way they are used with the rest of the track plan. With your 18" of elevation change if my math is right the train will be on about 81 feet of track in the helix and about a 2% grade which is a fair grade for a 16" radius helix. The train is going to be in there a long time as is mentioned here... Also the helix is taking up space that could be track/scenery/industries and such that could add interest to the layout. It is taking up over 30% of the space you have available. My suggestion and I've never seen this but bet it has been done. Have the two levels but no helix between them. Trains on the bottom and trains on the top. You could even have a hidden track on the top and bottom. A train enters a hidden track on one level and a 'clone train' exits the hidden level on the other level and proceeds on. Well the best of luck with the layout and for me the planning and designing stage is a lot of fun. I've offered thoughts but it is your railroad so make sure you follow the plan that you are enthused about, Sumner
Thanks for the look Sumner, According to AnyRail (if its right) 16" Radius 18" drop 6 loops Gives me 3% Grade 25.125" per 1/4 603" or 50' 3" of track in the helix i Actually have it drew in a 5 3/4 turns to get a nicer entrance/departure angle for track alignment. I was thinking about this when i went to town, the cost and complexity of a helix for the gain. In the current setup to omit the helix is not hard it's just an extension off the 2x8. Thanks for the input and the video, i shall have a watch and think on this. Joe
Yep at 3% it would be less. I was using 2% as that is what I decided was best if I wanted to run trains of any length. You probably are aware of this but keep in mind that 3% on straight track is easier for the loco to handle than 3% on a curve, especially a continuous curve. I think you can find some formulas out there that compare grade on straight track to grade on a curve. Some put short straight sections in their helix to help with that. My final helix plans before I dropped the idea was a spiral helix that offers lots of advantages in building, maintaining, grade and so forth but one big disadvantage.............takes up considerably more room which I had, but is a problem for some. Lots of info out there on helixes, both YouTube and other. Here are some of the ones I looked at .... And right here... https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/n-scale-layout.30638/ Sumner
Just rerouted a straight drop along the back hidden behind the warehouse dropping to a lower staging rail that presents slight in front but below main scene to allow for HOG to build a train to send into the layout. Puts me on a single shelf but simplifies a lot. 56" straight track with 40 7/8" of 13" radius drops me 1 15/16" leaving the straight on the lower front level and clear. (all untested) Just working up to toss into trainplayer and see if i like it. Looking to have the ability to pull in with 2 engines and 20 cars and get the engines out. to leave the switching to the onsite guys. Off to watch more
