Here is the beginning of the first of two helixes at our Crockett, CA MR club. Only the first circle of subroadbed has been installed. It is the beginning of a four track connection going from the first deck (staging yard) to the second deck and continuing with two tracks to third deck. Another set of two tracks on separate roadbed will connect the second to the third deck directly. Also, return loops on the second and third levels will run on the outer-most set of helix tracks. The framework is carousel in nature (except it doesn’t rotate), with hanging threaded steel rods used to support the roadbed. The first deck is about 2 feet above the floor, the second deck is about 42", and the third deck 78". The layout is of mushroom design, with a 36"-raised floor for viewing/operating the third level. At the other end of the layout will be a simpler two-track helix connecting the second and third levels. Minimum radius will be 42" with about a 2% maximum grade in the helixes. More photos of layout construction are at the club’s Yahoo site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CMRSC. We are looking for additional club members. Come and visit some Wednesday evening.
Mark Pierce
