Scratch Built Helix on My HO Scale Model Railroad Layout - Design and Build

[@jimtedesco]

Great job on the helix.

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

Thanks!!!

[@What_If_We_Tried]

I really appreciate this video, as I only have a small bedroom to build in - approx 8 ft x 12 ft / 2.5 m x 3.7 m - with slopped ceilings starting at 45 in / 114 cm above floor level, and need a 2 level stacked layout, and need a helix to move my trains from one level to the next. * subscribed *

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

Thanks for your comment and for watching! Not sure I would recommend a helix in a small place like that. Just centerline to centerline of my helix is six feet across. A gentleman by the name of Dan Dossa has a double deck layout depicting the Minnesota Commercial RR in a similar space to yours. He chose not to connect the decks. I am told that this layout can keep a couple guys busy operating for several hours.

[@avlisk]

I built a helix almost step by step identically to your techniques, so, I can heartily endorse this project. The only real difference for me was I used 27" radius curves with code 83 Atlas track due to space limitations and lots of flex track recycled from a previous layout. That sharp curve hasn't given me any issues in case someone has reservations about it. Just don't go over 2% grade. Beautiful work!

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@avlisk The radius debate is a double edge sword in both directions. My code 100 track was used also. Was a major $$$ saver and has been on the remainder of the staging level. I follow on the grade thing. My helix is part of my continuous running concept, so it has to be reliable. Not that operation of the layout is any less so...

[@sparky107107]

thing with a helix, you love them or hate them, you made yours big enough for a double line, why did you only do a single track ?

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@sparky107107 Absolutely! I love and hate mine. I did think about double track on the helix. Could go into an entire episode about why I only single tracked mine. In short, I wanted simplicity. I'm modeling light branch line on ~60lbs jointed rail in dark territory. Not really any requirement for double track!

[@sparky107107]

I did double track in my helix, one is to go up and the other down @@blackhillsandeasternrailroad

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@sparky107107 I suspect that's the way most designs that call for a helix do it. I had some special design considerations that allowed a single track. Milo and I just operated on a layout with a double track helix. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYLRpWisfaqmfdUsi=CHvBnXdAgskTsY4Y The helix part runs like a Swiss watch.

[@stevedrake360]

I may have missed it but what is the diameter of your helix?

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@stevedrake360 36" radius, so 72" diameter. That is to the centerline of the single track on the helix. The actual footprint of the benchwork is a little bigger than that as my track plan called for three loops outside of the diameter of the helix.

[@stevedrake360]

@@blackhillsandeasternrailroad Thanks, it looks great!

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@stevedrake360 Thank you sir! We will enjoy it even more when there is somewhere to go at the top!

[@TwoRailfans]

Nice design and construction. That radius should be great for what you are doing. The less successful examples that I have seen try to do it in too small of a space, but you have a great layout space. I wish we had room for one but we definitely do not!

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@TwoRailfans Thanks! I recognized early on that reliability should be given priority. I could afford the space for a 36' radius helix, but I'd rather not have built one at all, hadn't it been for my requirement for continuous running. I do feel for you Texan MRRs who lack basements. It seems space is at a premium no matter what part of the country you're in. The trick is to strike a balance. You guys are lucky in some ways because you have a smaller space to achieve perfection in!

[@derekalexander4030]

You did a really nice job on the helix.

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@derekalexander4030 thanks! I had a great place to start with the groundwork Jeff J laid. Had to use a little imagination to adapt his design to my needs, but we got it done!

[@davebnsfnscale4433]

Nice work,looks solid

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@davebnsfnscale4433 Thanks Dave! We'll see for sure when we get the town of Deadwood laid out!

[@achb-railway]

Nice job on the helix. I just built one myself last week - mine is a lot tighter than yours, but it suits the rolling stock I'm using.

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@achb-railway Of course. The aim is to dedicate as little space as practical. I'd have gone smaller too if I thought I could get by with it! Thanks for watching and for your kind words!

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

👍🤠👍

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

@randysrockandrollrailroad8207 Thanks Randy! I might have a RI project coming up. I can't talk about it yet because my client hasn't given me the specifics.