These last few weeks I’ve been giving my Helix a good stare down. There’s just something about that erks me. It’s the 2nd attempt at the helix, and while it “works”, it could be better.

The track in the helix is all sectional track, which I found is horrible on rolling stock wheels. For some reason, all of my rolling stock and engines roll fine on Code 55 Flex track, but rattle along on the railheads on sectional track.

There’s also no roadbed, so trains rolling up are usually pretty load given these two issues.

It’s still a little “wavy” in it’s grade at places too. Of course I haven’t adjusted anything really yet, but honestly the thought of having to unscrew/screw a gazillion bolts has put me off to ever doing it. Some of the thread rods also ended up shifting themselves, blah blah blah blah…

So anyway, I’m thinking about again going with a designed helix from Ashlin Designs, but this time taking my damdest sloweset time building it as to not screw it up again. The helix’s are good quality, maintain a nice smooth grade (when properly built, of course), and they also look very clean look to them (while viewable during contruction).

Another reason I’m thinking of re-doing the helix is to make it double track. I think having the ability to send one train up or down while there’s a train already in the helix would be handy instead of waiting 5 minutes or so to get trains moving along. This could also be used to have several trains staged “off world” for a short time for their trip to the next level. Just seems it could add another dimension to operations.

So… We’ll see how this all goes in the next few weeks.

Shaun Previous Layout