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Offline Michael4  
#1 Posted : 25 August 2020 15:30:16(UTC)
Michael4

United Kingdom   
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
Posts: 637
Location: England, South Coast
At this time of year my mind moves to thoughts about changing my layout...

My question is:

Using M track radii of 5100 and 5200 and a helix, does a helix gain sufficient height in a single revolution to allow the use of standard M track catenary?

My locos are old and heavy, the trains are normally made up of three tinplate carriages, not much more so a steepish gradient is useable.
Offline hxmiesa  
#2 Posted : 25 August 2020 16:45:04(UTC)
hxmiesa

Spain   
Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC)
Posts: 3,519
Location: Spain
It´s a bit harsh, but vintage Märklin should be able to do it.

There are two "tricks" that you can apply;
1) Make sure that the UPgoing round is using the 5200 curves.
2) Use a cut-up N-scale flextrack as catenary, stapled to the underside of the helix floor. That will allow you to minimize height between helix levels.
Best regards
Henrik Hoexbroe ("The Dane In Spain")
http://hoexbroe.tripod.com
Offline kiwiAlan  
#3 Posted : 25 August 2020 17:19:18(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,082
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: hxmiesa Go to Quoted Post
It´s a bit harsh, but vintage Märklin should be able to do it.

There are two "tricks" that you can apply;
1) Make sure that the UPgoing round is using the 5200 curves.
2) Use a cut-up N-scale flextrack as catenary, stapled to the underside of the helix floor. That will allow you to minimize height between helix levels.


Another trick to get a little more height between turns, or to lessen the grade, is to make the helix slightly oval. Have two or three 5106 straights each side to just extend it a bit like the Marklin C track one in the last link of TEEWolfs post over in TheWolfs thread.
Offline Michael4  
#4 Posted : 25 August 2020 18:00:18(UTC)
Michael4

United Kingdom   
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
Posts: 637
Location: England, South Coast
Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I can see the value of making it an oval but doubt I have the space.

Next question: Has anyone made drawings of the components that I could use? Cheeky I know but I'm a lazy old .....(insert as appropriate)
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