 Joined: 08/01/2023(UTC) Posts: 24 Location: England, Pevensey
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I am very limited on space for a spiral, so, has anyone built an automatic zig zag system to gain height in a small space?
All it needs I think, would be a couple of 8745's, 2/4/6 passing switches 2/4/6 powered turn outs, 2 feeds, 2 both rail isolators. Height anything you want?
Foot print 60mm by any length curved or straight. Speed and direction the same as entry.
Thanks
Chas
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 Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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Here is the real thing: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov...-on-track-to-finish-lineOr type in Zig Zag railway Lithgow Blue Mountains images. There are plenty of photos for ideas. It would be no different to an automated block section loop. Each block section now simply changes the train direction and switches a point to go up hill. Thinking out loud, you will need an overriding circuit so when trains go down hill everything works properly in that direction when using the same momentary switches. Otherwise you will need two sets of momentary switches and turn off power to the set of switches not need. You will need space side by side for each level of track.
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 1 user liked this useful post by Toosmall
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Joined: 09/10/2015(UTC) Posts: 581 Location: England, Cambridge
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Originally Posted by: Chas  I am very limited on space for a spiral, so, has anyone built an automatic zig zag system to gain height in a small space?
All it needs I think, would be a couple of 8745's, 2/4/6 passing switches 2/4/6 powered turn outs, 2 feeds, 2 both rail isolators. Height anything you want?
Foot print 60mm by any length curved or straight. Speed and direction the same as entry.
Thanks
Chas If the track only needs to be operated in one direction, you won't need to electrify the points (if you use Marklin) as they can be entered against the point. Cheers Chris
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1 user liked this useful post by Poor Skeleton
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You have been a member since:: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,476 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: Poor Skeleton Originally Posted by: Chas I am very limited on space for a spiral, so, has anyone built an automatic zig zag system to gain height in a small space?
All it needs I think, would be a couple of 8745's, 2/4/6 passing switches 2/4/6 powered turn outs, 2 feeds, 2 both rail isolators. Height anything you want?
Foot print 60mm by any length curved or straight. Speed and direction the same as entry.
Thanks
Chas If the track only needs to be operated in one direction, you won't need to electrify the points (if you use Marklin) as they can be entered against the point. Cheers Chris Is that still true in Z scale? (we are in the 'small scale' forum, and he is using catalogue numbers for z scale items).
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Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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The main reason I didn't bury a spiral in a mountain was to reduce gradient by running the spiral out into the scenery. It is more work, but anything to keep gradients to a minimum. Why waste a good scenery opportunity with a a spiral. They are worth their weight in platinum! I built most of this layout a couple of decades ago utilising the scenery side of the spiral to help keep gradient to a minimum. Model at 1:10 scale of Z gauge layout to help iron out problems. 
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2 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
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 Joined: 20/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 298 Location: Flanders!
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For a short train this might be fun.
So you lead up and at each end there is a switch leading to the next stretch? So you change direction a few times.
The longer the train, lesser the distance you can 'climb'. If your train is 20 cm long you loose at least 50 cm climbing distance.
Anyway this is a nice idea. Perhaps something fun with a BR74 (or any heavy loc) and a few cars. I bet it could concur a relatively steep gradient.
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Joined: 09/10/2015(UTC) Posts: 581 Location: England, Cambridge
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Originally Posted by: kiwiAlan
Is that still true in Z scale? (we are in the 'small scale' forum, and he is using catalogue numbers for z scale items).
Yes, absolutely! I do it all the time Cheers. Chris
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1 user liked this useful post by Poor Skeleton
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