The New Northern Central

[davefoxx]

Nice plan, but I'm afraid  it's going to take more than one tree a night...

Assuming he saved the trees from the Windsor Street layout, he’s got a good head start on trees.  But, he’s going to need a sh!t-ton more, too.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

How could you pass up modeling this scene?

It's not easy, to be honest.

[packers#1]

I don't have enough length to model the Steeert!

That’d be one huge horn

 

Dig the concept Ed, looking forward to seeing what it becomes

[amato1969]

Working that yard will be a lot of fun - so much room!  Do you have a hidden stash of switches for that beast @Ed Kapuscinski ?

  Frank

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So here's a way to join bottom and top levels before entering staging (at 6" above the top deck for clearance reasons).

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I don't think I'm going to do this, but theoretically it works.

[wazzou]

So here's a way to join bottom and top levels before entering staging (at 6" above the top deck for clearance reasons).

(Attachment Link)

I don't think I'm going to do this, but theoretically it works.

Honestly, it's difficult to tell what in the hell I'm looking at there...?

[davefoxx]

Honestly, it's difficult to tell what in the hell I'm looking at there...?

I think he’s trying to mimic @GaryHinshaw’s vortex, but Ed will need to ramp up the level of difficulty.  Right, Gary? 

DFF

[sirenwerks]

Honestly, it's difficult to tell what in the hell I'm looking at there...?

Thank you.  I thought I was the only one losing it.

[Point353]

So here's a way to join bottom and top levels before entering staging (at 6" above the top deck for clearance reasons).

(Attachment Link)

I don't think I'm going to do this, but theoretically it works.

Making the helix from the upper level to staging concentric with the top part of the helix from the lower level to staging was some inspired thinking.
Tony Koester is attempting to reach you since any layout design incorporating three (or more) helixes/helices automatically qualifies for inclusion in the next issue of Model Railroad Planning.
Either that, or maybe Dr. Hotballs can try to talk you off the ledge.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Honestly, it's difficult to tell what in the hell I'm looking at there...?

Thank you.  I thought I was the only one losing it.

No no, this is just what happens when I screen cap it too close to bed.

Perhaps this helps explain the insanity a bit more. It really IS nuts and like I said, I am far from committed to this idea.

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The issue it's trying to solve is that I need to get everything up to 56" to clear the washer lid when open (and preserve domestic peace). To do that I've crated a helix that's oval shaped for the lower level, and then joins up with the upper level for its last 6" climb.

My biggest issue with it is that the grade in it (because I'm going with 18" and 16.75" radius curves) is as steep as that on the layout. That means that trains that are adequately powered to get into staging are also adequately powered for the layout, meaning that helpers are purely cosmetic.

[nuno81291]

Doesn’t look nuts to me.. given the scenario it seems the only way to get up and over. Going to need a different approach to your benchwork for it!  would you leave it exposed or any sort of fascia? Plan in general looks pretty nice.. you must like your yard Ops! 

[davefoxx]

. . . meaning that helpers are purely cosmetic.

This would be my biggest beef with the plan.  But, it's a big concern.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Doesn’t look nuts to me.. given the scenario it seems the only way to get up and over. Going to need a different approach to your benchwork for it!  would you leave it exposed or any sort of fascia? Plan in general looks pretty nice.. you must like your yard Ops! 

I do indeed love yard ops. That plus "dispatcher puzzles" that require some thought about how to maintain flow. I think this will do that (especially when that empty coal train trips the dragger right in front of Amtrak).

I think I'd have a fascia strip around it to prevent roll-offs, but leave it open to observe and deal with derailments.

That said, I really DO want to try and avoid this monstrosity. Anyone know of good deals on front loading washing machines?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This would be my biggest beef with the plan.  But, it's a big concern.

DFF

Right? The thing that's currently occupying my mind is that I'm not sure exactly how to fix that. Even if I reduce the amount of climb needed to get to staging, I'm still bound by the dimensions of a potential helix avoiding the electrical panel.

[Missaberoad]

Looks like uphill trains would go around the helix downgrade. So you could still have trains that actually require pushers? Your downhill trains would have to be lighter, but I'm not sure the difference would be noticeable.
We also have to simulate tonnage to a certain extent, Which direction would the heaviest tonnage be? A 50 car train can be 1500 tons or 6500 tons depending on loads/mtys.

I like it the staging helix reminds me of that massive N&W layout that was in MRP years ago!