How to - Episode 8 - Build a helix

Hopefully this vid will clear up any questions you guys had about how these are made.

[@paull2613]

At last clear concise thoughts on how to build one of these, thank you. Very easy to understand no irritating background music, just clear understandable unrushed spoken English. Marvellous Thank you very much

[@mcgomez441]

Great layout and always very informative narrative. I really like the weathered track. Keep up the good work.

[@trainmanbob]

Excellent. I will need 2 on the new layout and this is certainly the best instruction I have seen. Many thanks.

[@EverardJunction]

Cork is used to raise the profile of the track. This gives a more realistic look when the track is ballasted. Cork is also useful for banking curves. I have used alot of it on the layout.

[@rrt08]

You have the best how-to train videos, thanks for sharing.

[@redflag1964]

Looks like a video on how to work in organised chaos. Really enjoying your videos.

[@mark3009]

Excellent and informative video. Looking forward to the fiddle yard construction. M

[@bloodmarine77]

yeah me too.a bridge is a must in every model railway.hence why i have a few already.

[@EverardJunction]

I've not used it before, looks easy to work with and if the model shop suggests it I guess it's good.

[@EverardJunction]

I also use threaded bar later on in this video. The wooden legs are for securing the helix to the floor. The helix is a long way off the ground so threaded bar would be a bit impractical.

[@EverardJunction]

@01humpy The track on the helix is 2nd, 3rd and 4th radius. I stear clear of 1st radius, a lot of locos don't like it.

[@EverardJunction]

@howarth004 I would have though 4'' would be pushing it, but the new models are so powerful.

[@tich4472]

looking good mate! Also adding another layer to my layout aswell all good fun have to say. keep up the good work and looking forward to next update. Cheers Rob

[@djburland]

Best of luck with the fiddle yard and having enough space to fit all the turnouts!

[@EverardJunction]

@bloodmarine77 Thanks mate I thought of the re-using the old board, but it would have been to difficult to do. So I am going to start fresh.

[@tentan44]

Thank you, Thank you , i just build my helix 10 levels . I buidt it on your video . its works Great layout and instruction thank man

[@80rvp]

thank you for the quick reply, I'm thinking of expanding my layout and using a double helix method like yourself, just trying to plan out the dimensions to see if it will fit in the room

[@EverardJunction]

@maxilfli1 No problem mate, good luck with the steam locos. As I said mine done work so well but they are getting a bit old, I guess they are heaver now, but you never know. Just try to make the gradient as gentle as you can.

[@Ryanb20496]

fantastic video,well spoken,cheers for uploading

[@bloodmarine77]

a very good demo on how the helix is built and works.the building of the new extension is coming along nicely too. also have you completely done away with the current scenic board where you are building the extension and rebuilding it or are you putting it back on top once the underside is done? hope the above made sense mate.

[@TotallyScaleModels]

Thank you, Thank you ,Thank you. you have done this so well and made it look so easy to put together. The only bit that i am concerned about is that you said it wont work on steam era. this is what i am modelling. !! i am going to be using 9mm ply so will try not to make it so steep plus most of the loco's are fairly new so fingers crossed. will probably watch loads more times to get really acquainted with how you have put it all together. but i really cant thank you enough...

[@EverardJunction]

@Yorkiepudd1966 Thanks mate, I do use regular solid core house wire. I'm not too sure what cork I use, haven't bought any in ages.

[@TrainMadJames]

Nice Work Can't Wait to see it Finshed!

[@EverardJunction]

@matanuialive2010 The coaches would derail due too lack of weight.

[@EverardJunction]

I do have some dropper wires on the helix. The baseboards are about 2ft wide.

[@diederts9899]

Another good and really useful one, thanks!

[@EverardJunction]

@bloodmarine77 It will be quite different. A bridge will probably be added. I have always loved railway bridges.

[@bloodmarine77]

@EverardJunction will you be keeping the same kind of track plan or are you going for something completely differant? maybe you could add a large bridge over water,that would look good.thats what i want to add at some point!

[@KBRAILVIDEOS]

Thanks for uploading this, very helpful! i've never constructed a helix before, i'm planning an exhibition layout at the moment which will include 1 single track helix, probably 3rd radius as that tends to suite most models better. Also thanks for the tip on the steam locos as there are plans to run 1 or 2 but at most with 3 coaches. Do you think i'd have any problems using 6mm ply wood instead of MDF?

[@OurGardenRailway]

Hi, Im in the first throws of building a model railway, and have been watching all your videos. They are all great, and very informative. I do have one question though regarding the helix, as I am shamelessly copying your construction indeas. I notice you have not used any underlay of any sort. Do you find the trains running directly on MDF to be noisy or not?.

[@EverardJunction]

Tony Cooper They don't make too much noise. You can use some cork underlay if you want to make things quieter.

[@OurGardenRailway]

EverardJunction Thanks for that. Keep the videos coming, they are fantastic sources of info.

[@EverardJunction]

@jasonandjoesrailway My house is quite old and has settled down over the last 70 years. All buildings do it, each one in different ways.

[@EverardJunction]

@cricketnutlarry I work for an IT support company. Working the workshop, diagnosing and repairing old PCs plus setting up new PCs

[@EverardJunction]

@ps3nut17 You might be ok, mine actually puts out 15v when I tested it. Best thing to do is to try it with somthing that you don't mind blowing up.

[@EWSKID]

just to let people know that there is a shop called TOOL STATION and they are very cheap for hardware and thing such as the treaded rod, its worth checking out there web site

[@EverardJunction]

@ididi9 I know it's fine for the HST, not sure about the pendo. Does have two powered bogies or just one?

[@01humpy]

Hi. Great layout and instruction. Can you confirm if the track was 1st, 2nd and 3rd radius or flexi track? I am wondering if there will be an issue with certain loco's on the 1st radius - have you had any problems?

[@davidanon4578]

Thanks for your brilliant films and tips, fabulous layout, fabulous. Steam engins on Helix, do you think Bullfrog Snot would cure the grip and slip problems? It's not cheap, here is an E-bay item with video clip of application and purported result, what do you think, advise, because I was teetering to N Gauge simply to get better gradients?

[@EverardJunction]

1. I don't know the gradient as a percentage, the track rises 3 inches with each rotation. 2. The MDF is the same as the rest of my layout, thinner wood will be fine, but will need more support. 3. I just maintained the gradient, no super-elevation.

[@EverardJunction]

A steam loco on it's own should be fine. You can then send something like a class 20 or 08 to go and get the rolling stock.

[@EverardJunction]

@BritishRail2002 I'm not to sure mate, google might have somthing. Gradients are often discussed on forums.

[@EverardJunction]

@pyronathanpyro That’s alright mate, fortunately I have all the details I need from the website. Shame he dismantled the layout but it was a great inspiration while it lasted.

[@rubixcubeguy8]

Hi. Would you mind in listing all the different pieces of wood you use. Eg. Bits under the track. The main big wood. And the stands. Etc. thanks in advance. Great vid btw

[@davidanon4578]

Sorry but You Tube doesn't seem to want me to add the link, anyway, there are only 2 items Bullfrog Snot on E-bay, the video is on the second one.

[@FiveElms]

Was you worried about having all the extra weight up there in the loft as it has already sagged?

[@Liverpoolfcfever]

Yer you r still very lucky to the space Also in Australia UK models are not very cheap as they are over price

[@FiveElms]

@pyronathanpyro Just noticed your comment regarding camelot junction, bloody loved that layout, any chance i could have some of the pics?

[@80rvp]

Hi mate, quick question whats the gap between your top baseboard and the fiddle yard baseboard. Cheers Ethan

[@slendersausage]

Is the 4' including the cut out sections for the threaded rod to go through? If this is the case how sharpe is the inner track regards redius - thanks

[@charleynewbould7514]

i saw your HPI mt2, lots of fun haha

[@TaynuiltModelRailway]

very nice very nice indeed

[@EverardJunction]

@Sopwith16 I use flexi track. All of it has now been laid.

[@Matthewmodeller229]

What did you do with all the old scenery? I suppose you tried to rescue as much as you could, but how did you despose of the old hill/cliff face?

[@Matthewmodeller229]

You know you say that this can't be used on steam era layouts? Well, I have a heritage centre layout (modern era with steam services running), and would like a second layer for a fiddle yard. Could I send the steam locomotives up and down on their own, then get a powerful diesel locomotive to shunt the rolling stock up? Also, would an 0-4-0 make it up there. I have a shed coming off of my outer loop so if they can't make it up I will sotre them in there.

[@rookycanadiantrucker]

Does overall get effected by the helix ?? I ask because I have Rapido's 'Canadian' and it's over 13' long. 2 power cars, 1 dummy car and 10 coaches. How big would each quadrant be if I use 2nd and 3rd curve pieces ??

[@JtagSheep]

if you were looking on the camelot junction website i have all the pictures and the lot i even have the html teplates so i can open it in website format and look back i got it all from simon himself from camelot junction and if you want a picture or 3 of the helix i will email you some pics of the helix if you want to thx and nice extention btw

[@EverardJunction]

@Liverpoolfcfever I'm lucky to have a large loft, the rest takes time, pain, thought, money and more time.

[@wheaa1]

Hi Richard, how wide is the "T" piece of the Helix, 1'?

[@EverardJunction]

Andrew Wheatley Its just over 1ft wide.

[@Hunnsey_rs]

Quick question, is that 3in from top of one level to top of next level or 3in gap between the levels, If that makes sense? Thanks

[@Sopwith16]

do you use flexi track or secional track. if you use flexi track. could you do a video on layoing it please?

[@michaelfokias]

I've got the Mallard and the Sir Nigel Gresley.

[@wheaa1]

Do you use droppers on the helix? And may I ask the width of your base board for the fiddle yard please?

[@EverardJunction]

You should be ok with plywood, it wont bend as easily though.

[@EverardJunction]

I salvaged what I could and took the rest to the tip.

[@FiveElms]

@pyronathanpyro Thanks mate, that would be cool.

[@JtagSheep]

@jasonandjoesrailway hi there at the moment i do not have the pictures to hand the are on my external hard drive and we are moving house so its in a storage facilaty but if i get time to get it or after moving house ill see if i can get you some :P

[@rubixcubeguy8]

Also. What is cork sheets used for? And would you recomend using it?

[@tobiassandfeldandreasen6735]

can you operate your z21 and MULTIMAUS on piko track system

[@sundancjim]

hi matey..wot radius curves you using ? would 3 2 1st radius work ? Cheers.

[@NathanielKempson]

I think he used 2 3 4 radius.

[@JonHolburn2011]

hello i just wonder how you create this layout with helix and I not very good at carpenter to build this in high quality baseboard Jonathan Holburn

[@JtagSheep]

@EverardJunction yeah it was lol i look back at the pictures like everyweek lol

[@jaannetts16]

5*****s i always wanted a helix maybe one day

[@EverardJunction]

Yes

[@kennedy111199]

have u got the mallard

[@Liverpoolfcfever]

wat is the width of the helix

[@larryvach6938]

what is the width of your helix?

[@EverardJunction]

About 7 inches I think

[@Liverpoolfcfever]

You are so lucky

[@Sopwith16]

@EverardJunction ok thanks.

[@pIEMNAN9898]

What is the radius of your helix?

[@EverardJunction]

The radius is 2ft or 610mm. The tracks used are 2nd, 3rd and 4th radius.

[@pIEMNAN9898]

Cheers!

[@stocktonjunction]

Sorry i see u said 2 ft radius im a bit unsure with this but is that from centre of circle to outer edge so that would make the diamiter 4 ft?

[@EverardJunction]

@Liverpoolfcfever 4ft

[@EverardJunction]

Nope, I run diesel locos.

[@EverardJunction]

It's 4 feet wide

[@trainyjack]

Boo!!! ;D