Helix

[Steamie+]

Can any member tell me the point of having a Helix please, you wouldn't see one in the real world would you, i can see that you what to go up or down a level but some of these Helix's are huge, so the question of incline is not relevant is it, i don't know. I just want to know that's all because the price of these things can be a bit expensive i feel.     Happy Modelling.       

[daveg]

A helix allows a change of elevation when often a simple incline would be too steep or occupy too much space.

As an example, Mauritz here on the forum uses this method in his impressive and very large layout.

I dont have the room but would liked to have had a helix to feed from and to a low level fiddle yard.

I'm sure others will give better explanations but hope this helps a bit.

Dave G

[Steamie+]

A helix allows a change of elevation when often a simple incline would be too steep or occupy too much space.

As an example, Mauritz here on the forum uses this method in his impressive and very large layout.

I dont have the room but would liked to have had a helix to feed from and to a low level fiddle yard.

I'm sure others will give better explanations but hope this helps a bit.

Dave G

Thanks Dave, very much appreciated...     

[Bealman]

That about sums it up, Dave. Some layouts actually have two scenic levels, a sort of upstairs downstairs arrangement, and a helix will allow travel between the two.

I'm thinking here of Ted Polet's famous 009 layout, though he ingeniously used hidden gradients to gain/lose height, rather than huge helix constructions.

[njee20]

Yes I've never seen a scenic helix, so I don't think anyone labours under the pretence they're prototypical! they're a space efficient way of reaching a lower level for a fiddle yard or alternative scene. I toyed with it, but worried about long trains, gradients and the propensity for stock to be pulled off the inside of the curves.

[Steamie+]

That about sums it up, Dave. Some layouts actually have two scenic levels, a sort of upstairs downstairs arrangement, and a helix will allow travel between the two.

I'm thinking here of Ted Polet's famous 009 layout, though he ingeniously used hidden gradients to gain/lose height, rather than huge helix constructions.

Thanks Bealman, have you got a reference for that layout or were i can view it please, it would be very interesting to see.     

[Steamie+]

Just seen Ted Polet's layout.....WOW it's amazing, for those who haven't seen it i can fully recommend you do, just put a search in and you will find it in the 009 society website.

Just amazing, i am blown away by it.   

Bealman.