Hemi: What are your plans for supporting the modules? Do you plan on using the same method for supporting the helix module? I'm partial to L-girder construction, but I know you've been thinking "modules" for a long time and might have other preferences. Dave H.
Hemi: You wrote: I'm still doing cookie cutter design--but I still need a basic framework to support it, an open grid so-to-speak. This isn’t open grid, but is certainly a basic framework which could support your helix. For a circular spiral helix on a 44”x48” helix module, you would need 8 supports positioned at the 8 points of a compass, each about a foot high and about 9” to 16” wide with tiers/steps cut out on one side. At any compass point, I would suggest one wide support that goes under all the loops instead of individual risers under each loop because its easier and more goof-proof. Regardless of the support system you decide to use, you are still going to need to calculate how high your individual risers or wide supports should be at various points around each loop. If you have something like Excel, you can figure the correct height of each riser or tier/step supporting each of the loops for all 8 supports relatively easily. If you don’t have Excel or its variant, you can still figure it with a calculator…it’s just much more time consuming. The formulas are straight out of a high school geometry class: Circumference is diameter times Pi (3.14) Slope (“Grade”, in RR-speak) is equal to rise over run. It’s just a matter of applying them 8 times for every loop (pain-in-the-caboose tedious, but do-able for a motivated modeler.) Dave H.
I am thinking outside my usual box, and am going to build 'Open-Grid' frames first, and build in cookie-cutter roadbed, and support the helix in much the same way as you have. As for calculating the supports, I haven't put much thought into it. I guess I figured I would burn that bridge when I got to it. The modules will be open grid, cookie cutter, and hybrid foam scenery construction, in 6' chunks. It will be portable in the sense of the word, but it will not be easy to move. But, that's what contract movers are for! They wil be sturdy, ad as lightweight as possible. As lightweight as a 6' x 3.5' cookie cutter module with a frame built of 3/4" plywood can be, that is!
Hemi: :confused2: I must have missed something...I thought you wanted 2.5' to 3.0' deep modules for the majority of the layout and the 44 inch deep module for the helix (and maybe a 40 inch deep module for the turnback loops on the other side of the aisleway opening). Or were you just referring to the helix module when you gave the 6' x 3.5' dimensions?
Yes, 28" wide modules for most the layout, and 42" helix/turnback loop modules. Sorry for the confusion!
Thanks! Forget you guys? Never! I'll be around now and then. I'll tryto send you a paint scheme for the FP45s. this week.
I practically have been working my fingers to the bone.... Along with that, building F45 kits, superdetailing 2 SD45's for MILW.. After the 4 F45's are done, I'll start benchwork. Just haven't had time. On a side note, all the pics you had loaded are all red X's... I was re-reading the thread to get more ideas...
Welcome back! Hemi: Nice to know you're still around. We missed you! I mistakenly thought I could shift 100 pictures into albums without invoking the Dreaded Red X.mg: :angry: :sad: I'll try to restore my postings in this thread.
"Excellent Smithers",been waiting for this Jere,will be watching intently Be sure to post lots of pic's for us all. Seeing as though a few of us are starting layouts right about now,should we start a "Layout build progress" thread?So we can all see how each person has wired,track work & scenery etc?
Most of the afternoon, I was... That, and TB was down most of yesterday. At least on my end it was. I'll try to do the other leg on Monday. Themiddle section will only be 52" long, so it should be a breeze.
Dave, Do you have an excell file you used that you could show us? I know a very little bit about Excel, but I do not like long calculations. Since the first leg of the layout went so quickly, the others will follow after the week begins agian. Since I want to design the helix, and cut it as a single piece of wood; I want to have all my calculations as close as possible so I don't overdo the grade. Maybe I should build staging, then build the mainline from Tunnel 1 tot he exit back to the helix, and build the helix to fit? I honestly guessitmated how long the mainline runs, and with the 2% grade, and a level siding, I could have mis-judged it. If I build the main first, then construct the helix to match, within the 9-11" ballpark, I should have no issues with steeper than 2% grades int he helix. I built the helix module with center access, so the helix would be viewed from inside, I'm guessing. If the helix were inverted to a pyramid-shape, rather than an inverted cone, would I have clearance issues at the top, where the main connects?That way, the helix would be better accessible from outside. Just brainstorming.. Feel free to correct my wayward thinking!
Hemi: I see you're starting the year out with a bang. Nice to see your plans coming together. I'm trying to clean up some tables so they make sense to someone besides me...putting in titles and labels and explanations. This clean-up process is a LOT harder to do and much more time-consuming than I expected!:embarassed: It may be easier to just run some new tables based on your particular helix specifications rather than trying to write clear and detailed descriptions of the steps to build a generic helix and trying to make multiple tables to cover the different starting radii, grades, footprints, and ramp widths that affect spiral helix calculations. To that end... I'll set up something with a 2% grade and something with a 2.5% grade. I'm assuming 1.5 inch wide ramps, but we may go narrower if an extra loop is needed to gain more height. Do you have a picture of your most recent track plan? I think you've made some changes since the last posted one. I'd be especially interested in where track is located on the staging, Plain, and Crescent levels within a foot or so of entering the helix. I had mentioned giving yourself about 6 or 8 inches of space to be sceniced between the helix and the end of the U-benchwork. Did you opt to do that or not? I can see the end section bulges out more than the shelving along the stem of the U. What are the exact dimensions for that wider shelving? Jog my memory, please...was the minimum radius we talked about absolutely fixed or was it a preferred minimum? What IS your absolutely fixed minimum radius?
OKay Jeremy when do we run it, I'll be down as soon as you call! Going downstairs now to do my choirs. I drop 20 feeders a day, everyday. I do not like soldering so I make myself do some every day. That way I have progress. Talk to you soon.
