12-21-2008, 02:23 PM
Thank you. I always try to go for a realistic scene with details and a reason for why things are the way they are on the layout. 
The helix does work. It is not able to handle a long haul trains up it due to the overall weight of the train which would then pull the cars over on their side. I know I have tried. :cry: It is on a 2% grade and needs some more tweaking. I do not run long trains anyways but I did try one and thats when I discovered the engine could pull it but the weight of the trailing cars rolled the freight cars over. I am not sure I am going to keep the helix but it solves a problem and some details I wanted on the layout. I have to get the trains back down from the mountain and if I use the helix I do that in a smaller area. I also get the look of the train going through tunnels and on a moutain grade. I think with some tweaking and more expermintation and using helper engines it will be an awesome little scene. Getting it to work flawlessly is going to be a task.
You can believe I will be posting info about it when I get brave enough to tackle it again.
The helix does work. It is not able to handle a long haul trains up it due to the overall weight of the train which would then pull the cars over on their side. I know I have tried. :cry: It is on a 2% grade and needs some more tweaking. I do not run long trains anyways but I did try one and thats when I discovered the engine could pull it but the weight of the trailing cars rolled the freight cars over. I am not sure I am going to keep the helix but it solves a problem and some details I wanted on the layout. I have to get the trains back down from the mountain and if I use the helix I do that in a smaller area. I also get the look of the train going through tunnels and on a moutain grade. I think with some tweaking and more expermintation and using helper engines it will be an awesome little scene. Getting it to work flawlessly is going to be a task.
You can believe I will be posting info about it when I get brave enough to tackle it again.