HELIX CONSTRUCTION PICTURES

Built using 1/4” luan and 1 x 2’s and yellow glue. Builder in pictures is Dave.

7 Ince with Templet 36 and 33 track center guide

Note cutting two 4 x 8 sheet at once laying out for max number of 90 o sections on sheet of luan

Templet is more than 90 o vertical lines creat the right angle so you can line up for cut

TEMPLET MADE FROM MASONITE 1-8

90 o of 360 turn takes 8 of these to make one turn

Cork Roadbed important total for top on one turn to top of next 4 inches 1 point 8 percent grade

Buy glue by gallon at home supply store

Note we are up over half way switch machines on inside could be outside if planned out

Code 100 Glued- I would just spike it if I did it over and code 83 no switch hidden either

Dave speads glue on two section using plastic spreader will place 90 o piece over seam 45 o 45 o

First turn Note the section comming back around over stright the off set of 45 o

YOU WILL NEED ALOT OF CLAMPS

First Level -Note Stright comme out This is seperate piece and needs 45 o of turn

Note the 1-2 inch over hang outside and inside of support rails NOW THESE 2 x 4

Recommend use Atlas Rail Spikes you can push them in with pliers do not glue

PUSH PIN TO HOLD CORK WHILE DRYING 3 1-2 inches between top and bottom of each turn

Place power leads to both tracks on each turn note wires hanging down DCC operation

Code 100 Shonare 36 34 turnout we made a few alterations to open switch up

Cut cork and ran pain wire under New layout their will only be one switch not two

Four turns 16 in cut special sections with tabs to mount switch machines

Old type switch would suggest if you hand lay do it I removed bass part under points

One switch each side at second level one at 14 in and one at 16 in

Used Citutron romote mount kit for swith machines motified guides and use paino wire

Wire is for forg to change polarity using switch machine points had cut gaps old before DCC switches

HELIX IN DOWN POSTION 209 Note 2 x 4 front and back now better base no sag

HELIX RASING USE 1 x 4

Note block to create grade precentage 1 1 1-2 2 2 1-2 3 3 1-2 4

You must leave room to get behind I can stand up in the space between back wall and helix learned this the hard way

Cut notches 1-2 deep every 4 inches cut all supports at sme time use radial arm saw

Note 45 pices to form a hexegon 8 sides build box and then add 45 peices

As you add more to the layout and connect to helix it become very strong

Assemble will not become solid untill you start connection it to wall or other part of the layout

By leaving only 1-4 inch piece stick out I could joint second level with out hump in seams

Supports are 1 x 2 you need 16 cut 18 made bottom long you can cut off extra after mounting

Note no humps in connection between Helix and rest of second level

One change that I would do if done over would be to spike track not glue it to cork. This would allow the track to move. I did have about 4 ft come up from expansion.  This helix has now been in service for 10 years and was moved once.

If you have questions contact me at ahouston3@charter.net