1
1: Commercial helix kits available in several scales
can save the time and effort of calculating grades and
radii, and can eliminate the need for specialized tools.
photo.
but this would be a good radius to aim for so everything stays
coupled and runs reasonably. 2 times pi times the radius
(2x3.14x15.25) equals about a 96” trip around the circle.
Vertical space – A Life-Like SW1200 is just under 1-1/2" tall,
from the roadbed to the top of the cab, including the track the
loco is sitting on. Allow more for excess-height cars and dou-
ble-stacks! Allow 1” for roadbed, possibly ½” or ¾” plywood or
another material. Allow 2" between the top of the equipment
and the bottom of the next turn of the helix for finger room to
rerail cars. Total: 4 ½” to 5” from one rail up to the next.
