While I agree that sometimes a helix is the best choice, I also agree with Darrell that it also seems that to a lot of modelers it is the only choice they think about. I remember layout planning guru John Armstrong having used vertical elevators and inclines in some of his plans.
On one variation of old layout, I had an operating incline to get from one level to another in a short distance. Mine didn't need to be very long, but the vertical curves at the top and bottom took up some space. I powered it with a Switchmaster stall motor hidden below a dummy steam donkey that was supposed to be the power source, with the cable (thread) going over one of the drums on the donkey engine. While normally thought of as something found on some western logging railroads they were used elsewhere in steep terrain. The Ashley Planes in Pennsylvania on the Central of New Jersey is one example in an essentially mainline application. http://www.gingerb.com/cnj%20ashley_planes.htm Dave Heine Easton, PA -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Darrell Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 10:31 PM To: [email protected] Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Helix Pictures Ed, I agree. Nice work. I understand that a helix is the traditional American Standard for moving a train from one layout elevation to another. I also see that your space is limited, and that the helix itself eats up a whole lot of that space. I myself have given serious thought to a more unconventional approach: a whole-train elevator. It would be a hidden staging track that a whole train fits on, that would operate as an elevator to move the train to the next elevation. The only real space requirement is that for the staging board. It would be behind the backdrop, so nobody can see the elevator. Train disappears into a tunnel, then a while later reappears out of a tunnel on the next level. Just like a helix. Of course if you are using a double track main line, that adds more complications, but I don't think you would be doing that in your limited space. I know I won't be. Another added option to this "elevator" is to include additional tracks that can store more trains. Think of it as a vertical staging yard. Just my offbeat mind working here..... Darrell S. ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
