I finished building the helix and installed track power as I built it so I am able to run trains from the lower level up to the top of the helix.

The stats on the helix are:

    40" radius for outside upward track. 1.653% grade.
    37.5" radius for inside downward track. 1.76% grade
    4 1/8" rail to rail separation
    2 15/16" height from the roadbed to bottom of roadbed above (the overlapping doubled up roadbed is 1 3/16" thick). While this is fairly tight I model 1957 and my tallest rolling stock is 2 1/4" tall.
    4.56 revolutions (plus entry/exit track).
    Total length of track (using outside loop) hidden in "the helix" is 1259".

The helix consumes 3.3% of the sq ft of the layout room (about 1250 sq ft).

Each track of each level will be an occupancy zone and there will be occupancy zones for the entrance and exit turnouts for a total of 12 (5 x 2 + 2) zones.

Tasks left to complete: install NCE Switch-It mk2 to control lower and upper turnout Tortoises. Install RR_Cirkits BOD8 and FOBAs and connect to coils for occupancy detection/display.

I worked on the control/status panel for the lower return loop.  This is just a preliminary version to verify if I need to make any changes before a print a better version using my nice photo printer.

There are 62 connections (14 turnout toggle switches, 14 turnout status LEDs, 22 occupancy zone LEDs, and 12 PSX circuit breaker status LEDs)





And I have begun working on the helix to connect the lower (40") and middle levels (60").



My new Bosch jig saw is great. It has no trouble cutting two plywood thicknesses when cutting out these helix 1/4 arcs.  I did the first two sheets which will get me up into the second helix level.



This is my helix arc drawing tool. I mark the 37.5" and 40" radii.  The pivot point can be raised in 4" increments as the helix gets taller.

Theorizing the path as the lower level mainline starts the helix. The helix will be 4 1/2 turns with double tracks (40", 37.5" radius) and connect the lower (40" elevation) and middle levels (60" elevation).



I did an inventory of my Union Pacific cabooses. I plan to install resistors across the caboose wheelsets in order for them to be detected by the RR-Cirkit BOD8 occupancy detectors and mark the "end of train".



I had my first soda can (ballast) casualty.  But he was a good soldier and did not burst.



I plan to shoot some train level POV video. It is remarkable how track level POV video highlights issues with trackwork.

More progress. I have completed the mainline around the center platform.  The next step in track laying _would_ be the helix, but I think I am going to switch to working on the turnout/occupancy detection for the lower return loop.

Gluing down the double track mainline that _would_ head west to Nevada. I am not modeling that so this track will not be powered to avoid running trains off the edge. 

I should point out that traversing from the end/edge of the double track mainline here around the lower return loop and back to here is 332 ft. 



Mainline making a big curve and going through the backdrop into the helix entrance.



The Oregon Short Line single track mainline heads off on the left.  The double track mainline continues to the benchwork edge.



I avoid running track parallel to the front benchwork for aesthetic reasons.  You can also see my stash of Peco code 70 flex track and #6 turnouts that I will use when I come back and install the service/industry spurs.

Theorizing the track positioning where the Oregon Shortline (single track mainline) splits off from the UP double track mainline that heads west to Nevada (not being modeled).



The double track mainline will stop at the benchwork edge. This track will not be powered to reduce the liklihood of a deathly fall to the floor. 

Working on installing mainline where it turns the corner and then heads up the "dead end" aisle.

Marking the center lines for the track.



Locomotives stuck waiting for the new track to be powered. 





Gluing down the roadbed around the 180 degree turn.



Gluing down the outside track around the 180 degree turn.

I am continuing to work on installing the mainline on the lower level.  My plan is to finish the mainline on the lower level, build the double track helix (40" up to 60" elevation), install the mainline on the middle level (nolix 60" to 80" elevation), and then build the upper level mainline and upper return loop. I might be done with this by the end of the year.

Mainline running through the classification yard area (42ft wall).



Mainline running through the passenger station/service area on the left side with reefer ice service on the right side.



Gluing down the track in the passenger station/service area from the other direction



After the caulk has dried.



Comparison of the track joiner options. Atlas 83/100 on the left, Walthers 83, Walthers 70, and finally MicroEngineering 83 on the right.  My preference for code 83 track is the Walthers.

More structures from the previous layout.

Here are some of the models from my previous layout that I unpacked.

This background flat (two Downtown Deco kits) is 67" long.






The smaller building on the right has the cracked wall. I will glue the wall and then add some 'vines' like are on the other side of the building.





I love Downtown Deco kits. I have almost every one ever produced in my structure kit 'collection'.

I am working on installing the double track mainline where it enters/exits the lower return loop. 

And I unpacked some of the structures I built for my previous layout.  Only one notable moving 'injury' so far. One of my (many) Downtown Deco models cracked a wall. I should be able to glue it and hide the cracks using 'vines' growing on the walls. Several of the signs that project from buildings also broke off, but these will be easy to fix.

Looking down towards the lower return loop. The green sharpie marks on the plywood subroadbed mark where I think the tunnel portal will be located and the track goes 'hidden'. The entire lower return loop will be hidden under the city of Ogden.



I use a very light bead of DAP Alex Plus Clear Latex caulk to glue the track (Atlas code 83) down.

Quote from: deemery on September 14, 2025, 02:22:01 PM

Quote from: Onewolf on September 14, 2025, 02:12:58 PM

Quote from: deemery on September 14, 2025, 01:36:04 PMI tried the Woodland Scenics stuff and didn't like it at all.  How well does the Sparks0033 stuff hold spikes/nails? 

You have some nice long straight runs, that'll make for more prototypical photos. 

dave

I'm not sure how well it will hold spikes/nails.  I glue down the track with caulk (except for turnouts).

Stick a pin in it and tell us how it works :-) :-)

dave

I tried putting some spikes/nails into the foam. I don't think it would work for installing track.  Which is fine for me because I prefer to glue the track down.  My experience is that nails/spikes look TERRIBLE when shooting photos/video from the "engineer view" track level view. 

Quote from: deemery on September 14, 2025, 01:36:04 PMI tried the Woodland Scenics stuff and didn't like it at all.  How well does the Sparks0033 stuff hold spikes/nails? 

You have some nice long straight runs, that'll make for more prototypical photos. 

dave

I'm not sure how well it will hold spikes/nails.  I glue down the track with caulk (except for turnouts).

I have started installing the foam roadbed.  On the previous layout I used Woodland Scenic foam roadbed. I liked how quick/easy it was to install, but I did not love how soft/spongy it is.  For the new layout I am trying a different foam roadbed I found on EBay (seller is 'sparks00033').  It comes in 6ft sections and it is much firmer than the Woodland Scenics foam roadbed.

I use DAP Alex Plus clear acrylic caulk to affix the foam to the subroadbed.

I need to cut/place a couple more pieces where the mainlines crossover and for the righthand turnout where the branch heads up into Ogden.

I use the soda cans to weigh it down while the caulk cures.

I also made a refinement to the block/occupancy zones in the lower return loop outbound (west/north) mainline turnout ladder.  Operationally trains come into the lower return loop on the eastbound (headed to Green River, Cheyenne, etc) mainline and depart on the west/northbound mainline (UP mainline west of Ogden is not being modeled and the double track mainline goes over the edge of the benchwork into the abyss (these mainline tracks are not powered for 6 feet). I am modeling the northbound UP 'Oregon Short Line' which splits off before the 'abyss'). 

For trains that will be in staging the objective is to pull the lead locomotive so it is on the outbound rerailer.  The staging loop/rerailers are staggered such that you can see all 7 staging tracks/rerailers even when the outside/closer staging tracks are occupied.  But this requires looking to see exactly where the lead locomotive is. I have rewired/regapped these 7 rerailers so they are each discrete occupancy zones, so in theory when the rerailer zone displays as occupied it's time to have stopped the train. 


The return loop double track mainline will be in a tunnel for another 4ft before it exits the tunnel portal.  I will also transition from code 100 to code 83 track in this area.





I will be adding foam roadbed here for the turnout and crossover.



The track exiting the lower return loop has not been tacked down yet.

Quote from: deemery on September 07, 2025, 01:00:24 PMNICE tight carpentry on the benchwork.  I'd play with the fascia a bit, maybe pull it in a bit tighter towards the corner.   Think about 2 people trying to pass at that point.  You'll lose some scenery space, but not any track, if I interpret this correctly.

dave

There is no shortage of space near that corner.  Five feet across the aisle and 8 ft across to the other side of the alcove area (12ft x 14ft).

I angled the benchwork at 45 deg.  Much better now.




This shows how the lower fascia will be curved across the corner.