Tonight's work party ended phase 3 of our helix build. Cork and track down and affixed, it was time to get the helix up off the floor, check fit and alignment of each of the 6 sections and drill the 3/8ths holes for the 10 threaded rods. In this photo Wain makes final adjustments to the track placement. We elected to place our track on the extreme edges of the subroadbed with rods in the center. This will give us maximum clearance for car overhang and superior stability with the rods at the center versus the outside or inside edges. In this photo, Ed and Doug check the alignment of the layers prior to determining where to position the location of the 10 rods. After marking the rod center points, Doug does the honor of drilling the first rod location. Finally, a happy crew celebrates the helix to this point with knowledge that phase 4 means rods, grades, fender washers and nuts! From left to right, Reynold, Scott, Wain, Ed, Doug, Bradley and yours truly. Thanks again for your time and consideration. Michael
Our helix begins to rise! After a morning of building our base, repleat with 4x4 legs and splines that will eventually hold up our fascia, we put in the 10 rods and the first level of the 6 turn helix. Then had several laughs as we entered the helix twilight zone, otherwise known as nuts and fender washers. In the end we will have over 120 of each before we are done. More to come Tuesday. M
Here are a couple of shots of the helix. First shot is the helix extended with 1x4's. This was done after we connected all 6 levels and completed the cork roadbed. We will still need to connect the inside and outside tracks at the attachment point of the 6 levels. We took the 1x4's out after the shot. The second is a shot of the feeder wires in place. On Tuesday we will put the rods back in place and adjust our grade and we should be just about done.
WE HAVE HELIX! It was a long night, but we have our helix firmly in place. We still need to set our final clearances and grade, but the foundation is done. I for one am relieved. This method of building a helix was fairly straight forward and while I can probably imagine tweaking it a bit if we ever do it again, I am very pleased with the final result.
FINAL TABLE SECTION TAKES SHAPE Tonight's work session concentrated on getting the final table section in place. This connects the helix to the balance of the railroad. Using pocket screws is an excellent method to secure the 1x4's to each other and the helix base. Looking at the new table from opposite directions, the first to the west, sans cross members. The second to the east with cross members in place. Final shot shows the helix's lowest elevation fits our new table section perfectly. Next move is connecting the fascia trim to the cross members. More soon.
Here are a few pics since last Tuesday's work party. The first two are shots of our completed helix. We ended up with a constant 2.1% grade. I'm very happy with that. The other change was the amount of rigidity that was achieved once the nuts were tightened. If you look at prior pictures, you will note a significant lean to the left. In the pic below, that lean is gone. We also added new fascia boards at each of the cross members. We will need to tie them in at the helix, but that will have to wait until we decide where our attachment points will be for our masonite exterior fascia. Thanks for checking in.
Looks great Michael. Also, congratulations on winning the election. Greg Amer The Industrial Lead gregamer.com
Thanks Greg. I enjoyed your clinic yesterday. I appreciate your efforts and your pursuit of the proto87 standard. Very ambitious and admirable! As for the election, I look forward to serving the membership come September. M
