Re: The Helix
Posted by Keith Hayes on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/The-Helix-tp9915p16343.html
Here we go!
The super cold weather out discourages any kind of outdoor activity once the snow shoveling is finished. Saturday I made some track adjustments and spent a couple hours running trains around the loop and siding, watching for derailment and checking clearances. A K-37 made a visit with a train of passenger coaches as a final check.
I showed previously the plywood brackets I made to cantilever the lowest circuit of track over the outer staging loop. Today I started placing the brackets to get a consistent 2% grade. It is a bit steeper than I would like and I may have a spare 1/8" of clearance so I hope to ease off the grade on the concealed circuits. I used a piece of spline to mark off inches in order to accurately calculate the grade. I also realized I could glue a piece of plywood to greater a base for all-thread to terminate as it supports the track above. This seems the most flexible and adjustable means to support the concealed track.
Years ago, I visited Lee Kleindon to pick up my radius forms and observed his helix was reinforced by a maze of wire. You see, a helix is a spring and in some circumstances it will want to rotate helically. My hope is the internal structure I created will better resist the torsion and keep everything in place. The large openings will provide access to the concealed track from the inside.
The brackets went in easily enough. I was hoping that one of the concealed loops could be herniated to both see the train and create a water stop. Now that the helix is laid out I realize there will only be two concealed circuits. It takes a train just over a minute to traverse the loop, which seems tolerable in my experience.
I realized that I have room to extend the lowest loop to the south and this is where Kokomo will be located. It is closer to Solitude than I would like, but at least the structures won't go to waste. Also, it affords the opportunity to have the train dive into a snow shed as it moves into the concealed part of the helix! I am thinking of installing an operating train order board on the depot. This could be a good way to control traffic.
Anyhow the first bit of spline is in place.
Onward!
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/The-Helix-tp9915p16343.html
Here we go!
The super cold weather out discourages any kind of outdoor activity once the snow shoveling is finished. Saturday I made some track adjustments and spent a couple hours running trains around the loop and siding, watching for derailment and checking clearances. A K-37 made a visit with a train of passenger coaches as a final check.
I showed previously the plywood brackets I made to cantilever the lowest circuit of track over the outer staging loop. Today I started placing the brackets to get a consistent 2% grade. It is a bit steeper than I would like and I may have a spare 1/8" of clearance so I hope to ease off the grade on the concealed circuits. I used a piece of spline to mark off inches in order to accurately calculate the grade. I also realized I could glue a piece of plywood to greater a base for all-thread to terminate as it supports the track above. This seems the most flexible and adjustable means to support the concealed track.
Years ago, I visited Lee Kleindon to pick up my radius forms and observed his helix was reinforced by a maze of wire. You see, a helix is a spring and in some circumstances it will want to rotate helically. My hope is the internal structure I created will better resist the torsion and keep everything in place. The large openings will provide access to the concealed track from the inside.
The brackets went in easily enough. I was hoping that one of the concealed loops could be herniated to both see the train and create a water stop. Now that the helix is laid out I realize there will only be two concealed circuits. It takes a train just over a minute to traverse the loop, which seems tolerable in my experience.
I realized that I have room to extend the lowest loop to the south and this is where Kokomo will be located. It is closer to Solitude than I would like, but at least the structures won't go to waste. Also, it affords the opportunity to have the train dive into a snow shed as it moves into the concealed part of the helix! I am thinking of installing an operating train order board on the depot. This could be a good way to control traffic.
Anyhow the first bit of spline is in place.
Onward!
Keith Hayes
Leadville in Sn3
Leadville in Sn3
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