Double Helix Materials List
Track Overview
Double Helix sold April 24, 2000 Before selling layout I photographed details and made construction drawings.
Double helix track radius 21"
The double helix has 4 % grade with about 4 3/4" vertical clearance for train.
Materials List
Page 1 and Page 2 of the double helix drawings use the following materials and parts list:
- 4’ x 8’ ¼” plywood
- 3/4” x 1 3/4” pine for bottom bracing
- 3/4” x 1½” x 93” curved bottom bracing 3/4” x 1 1/2” x 9 3/4” long pieces
- 1” wide Metal edging
- .065” thick x 5/16” wide steel rails painted silver (hot rolled steel strip, not sheared)
- .138” diameter steel guard railing painted silver
- .426 or 7/16” dowels
- lumber for ladder rungs
- lumber for ties (stained w Danish Walnut color stain)
- sprigs
- screws
- Transformers: Lionel KW with 2 each Lionel 1033s for accessories
- 1 ohm resistor on lower section of track rising
Construction Notes
- Would be nice: Slots under bracing for electrical wiring (on bottom side of 1/4” plywood)
- Paint was brushed on after assembly
- Ladder bases are painted black.
- There are 112 ties with 4/8” to 3/4” spacing between ties.
This layout restricts the size and length of trains that will run OK.
Additional Information
Construction drawings are available here.