I saw one at Timonium today. Gatorboard is a type of foam board so one advantage is weight. The company does not actually advertise it on their website, so I don’t now if it’s a one off or they plan on marketing it. The prefabrication appeals to me, or would if I wanted a helix.
There are youtube videos if you search world’s lightest helix.
Picked up a box (25) Atlas code 83 flex from Yankee Dabbler at $96. A good deal I thought.
I saw that when I was there on Saturday. Interesting construction. I’ve used Gatorfoam for many years and it’s a great material to work with. Does not warp or sag or deteriorate with time. I wonder if they offer any larger radius than 22’’ for HO scale ? — Ken
You didn’t happen to ask what it cost, did you? I assumed it would be on their website and it’s not.
I’ve watched his videos before, and it appears that you build the thing yourself, I didn’t see anywhere on their web site or videos as to where you can order the pieces to build a helix.
The trackbed and risers are cut from 3/16" black gator board, and the base is 1/2".
I would think that you could make one with any radius, depending on the size of the board you buy, or make a template to the radius you want, and mark out and cut the pieces from what ever size board you can get.
He used Super Glue to hold it all together.
Yea, he used an expensive laser to cut the risers, but he also talked about how you can cut them by hand, as using a laser means you have to make a program for running it.
I don’t see a helix in my future, but it is an interesting build.
Mike.
I’ve seen the video that was hot linked on another forum a couple months ago. Some of the purpose was to dispell myths about the limitations of what could be run on a 22 inch radius helix. The video demonstrates a lot of trains running on it successfully and reliably.
I was at Timonium with my wife on Saturday and visited this table and chatted a bit with the guys there.
I asked about radius. Apparently it is possible but it would mean more pieces per 360 turn because there is a limit on the size of the pieces produced. I mentioned 32 inch radius for example.
As for price, they haven’t settled on one at this point but there was mention of possibly $60/level (full circle) so theoretically a 4 level helix would be $240; at least for the 22 inch radius version. A wider radius may be more. Sound like a lot? Maybe, but anything which saves time and effort usually has a significant cost to it.
The commercial availability is still in the future from what I understood.
I do plan on a helix for my next layout and might consider this product.
These guys also offer back drops.
I saw the helix also, and for the first time ever briefly wondered if there might be a helix in my future sometime.
Off topic: I thought the show was rather well attended on Saturday, compared to several other times I’ve been there (once a year on average lately). Maybe the best find of the day: a specialty run of Accurail wooden, outside braced Wellsville, Addison and Galeton boxcars at $5 each.
The show seemed to be well attended and there were lots of vendors and layouts. Very little dead space this time.
I’m picking up some N-scale stuff since my wife wants to make a coffee table layout for her basement lounge room. Deals of the day were:
BLMA Santa Fe 60’ RBL for $6
3 Wheels of Time hard to find freight cars $11 each (2 SP bulkhead flat cars and a PC&F SSW 50’ box car).
I agree the show has definitely become better attended and the new operators seem to be making some good decisions on vendors and advertising. Good to see it improving. --------- Ken