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.

Got the fascia and the lower staging level all painted up.  It’s a nice black color, kind of a dull-ish black so it doesn’t stand out so much as your typical flat black does.  I’m pleased with how it all turned out. Also got other humpyard controller I had installed.

It’s a needs a little work still. Have to redo Track #1. You can see that it kinda kicks in a little at the very back. I apparently kicked it in a little too much and trains will overhang on track 2.

The walls will be painted on the outside and inside, track ballasted, and some caboose industry ground throws installed. Because of the way it’s constructed there’s no room for tortoise control.

I decided to go ahead and make all of my industrial siding turnouts manual controlled, mainly for cost reasons. No sense is spending, for example, almost $80 on turnouts and mounts for the 3 GERN turnouts that will won’t see and much action as mainline turnouts will. I also feel manually control will just be easier to operate for quicker switching maneuvers, etc.. So I opted to use Humpyard throws. I already had two on had and got them installed on the GERN industry.

First I drilled a whole underneath the layout and ran up the two guide cables.

Since the lower level is mostly on 1.5″ of foam, I needed to mount the cable above the plywood bench top, so I made some trenches to lay the cable in, and then assembled the throw mechanism.

I then used some hot glue and some Liquid Nails to fill in the gaps to secure the cable.

Well, now I needed someplace to mount the throws, so I finished up the lower fascia.

And then finally mounted the turnout throw to the fascia.

And tada!

First I secured all the track down for the GERN plant.

Then I cut and attached the fascia for the lower level lights.

Here’s another shot of the corner tunnel I’m going to add. Couldn’t really decide what to do with this area, so I thought a little tunnel cutting through the edge of a cliff would look good.

And lastly just a shot of how the wiring panel looks today with the turnout wiring RJ-11 Boxes.

About two weeks ago I finally got myself a table saw (sold stuff on ebay and Sears just happened to have one sale). Having one of these makes making long straight cuts so freaking easy! I was able to finally make use of 3 sheets of masonite a friend gave me.So here’s the view of the upper level with the “sky fascia” installed. I’ll eventually spackle up the corners and over the screws and then paint it this flat midnight black color I got.

Work on the Wiring Panel is almost done. I’ll have the new turnout jacks all wired up and and the panel reinstalled by the end of the weekend.

Tearing my hair out trying to figure out out to “bridge the gap” between my two levels, I decided to give the helix one more shot.

This evening I managed to break up the helix and save all of the curved wood cutouts. So this will save me a lotta time/money. Just need to remove all the little wedge pieces I added to try and save the original build.

Also got the track off too, just need to clean off some off the hot glue.

I plan on rebuilding using eyehooks attached to the cutouts, and some nuts on 20″ steel rods. This will allow me to adjust levels on the fly and get a real smooth ride up. Like this:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/heinle/Helix.htm

*Hopefully* this will give me a workable helix.

Started work on the “loop track” for the lower level.

The turnouts will be located right at the exit from the Helix, wrap around and then run behind the computer desk.

Not pictured is the two doors it will have go cross. I picked up a 6′ long Heavy Duty Shelf Standard. Pretty sturdy for the length. This will act as the main beam for the bridge span (thanks to Gary S. for the inspiration).

and a view where the refinery will go.

Today my order for lights for the upper level arrived. I am various sized T4 fluorescents with 6400K “daylight” bulbs. Man, what a difference they daylight bulbs make over “cool white”.

Here’s some before/after pics (no light/light). Pics really don’t show how well they really look but I’m pretty impressed.

And the total watts/Amps draw by the lights for one level:

After getting the trim coil up on the top level and the top benchwork on, I gave the coil a nice coating of Kilz and then painted on “Skyline” colored paint from Ace.

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Here’s a panoramic shot of the room too: