What is the Main Intent of a Helix?
A Helix can provide the means to connect two levels of a Model Railroad that are set some distance apart, or it can also be used to gain elevation on a turn-back curve for single level layouts. When constructed properly, they can add a great deal of flexibility in designing your Model Railroad, be it large or small.
In a bedroom size layout where you don’t have enough room for an extended grade, you can effectively double the amount of trackage you can fit in the given space. For larger layouts, a Helix can provide the means to connect two levels of a shelf style layout. Again, doubling the amount of trackage that you can have in a given area. Also, many Model Railroaders use a Helix to connect to lower level staging yards.
Should I Build My Own Helix, or Purchase a Kit?
Building a Helix for your Model Railroad can be a daunting task, since a Model Railroad Helix needs to be built to pretty exacting standards to function properly. Consistency of the grade throughout the Helix is especially important, and maintaining that grade involves some pretty advanced knowledge of geometry and also carpentry skills.
Proper tools are a must, and obtaining all of the materials and figuring out a way to build it can be very time consuming, taking away precious time for other areas of your Model Railroad building process. That’s why The Model Railroad Benchwork Store came up with an easy to assemble, reliable Helix Kit for HO Scale and N Scale that can be assembled by any Model Railroader.
We’ve done all of the complicated math and critical assembly processes for you; the result is a Model Railroad Helix that can be completely assembled, including your trackwork, in about a weekend. At the Model Railroad Benchwork Store, we pride ourselves in providing innovative techniques and products to satisfy the needs of Model Railroaders in all Scales.
Current Commercially Available Helix Kits Leave Much to Desire
Most current Helix Kits fall under two categories; plastic and/or composite parts, and plywood/threaded rod systems. Lets take a look at these for a moment and then compare them to our Helix Kits.
With the plastic/composite kits, the main components that hold up the helix, or ‘bents’ are made of plastic. Various styles exist, with full height bents, or single bents that stack atop each other to achieve the desired height. The problem arises in the inherent flexibility and weakness of these plastic/composite parts, often causing many headaches in the completed Helix. Additionally, many of these styles use a very thin sub-roadbed of either plastic or 1/4″ plywood that sags between the supports, which affects the operational reliability of your Helix.
The other system, plywood and threaded rod, is also popular in ready made kits. The problem with these is that each level of the Helix needs to be set very accurately by use of nuts above and below the sub-roadbed pieces. This is tedious at best, and if not done accurately will definitely affect the grade within your Helix, or produce dips and humps. Most of these kits again use very thin plywood for the sub-roadbed, which can sag as mentioned earlier.
Designed and Built to Eliminate Common Shortcomings
At The Model Railroad Benchwork Store, our Helix Kits are composed of 3/4″ thick plywood vertical bent pieces with 3/4″ thick horizontal supports, and the sub-roadbed is made out of 1/2″ thick material. This produces a Helix that is incredibly strong, without any flexing of the sub-roadbed that can affect the grade. Each bent is also fully assembled and glued together already, establishing a precise grade throughout your Helix.
Another innovative approach at The Model Railroad Benchwork Store is the fact that all of our Helix Kits are designed as a 12 sided dodecagon; most other Helix Kits are comprised of only 8 sides, and in some cases only 6. What does that mean for your Helix? Well, with 12 bents within our Helix Kits versus 8 or 6, the distance between them is much less. This smaller distance, and the use of 1/2″ plywood sub-roadbed eliminates all sagging between the bents. The result is a smooth, consistent grade throughout the entire Helix.
Exclusive Features and Innovative Products Not Available Elsewhere
Our Helix kits are also incredibly easy to assemble. Since the grade is already set with the fully assembled bent sections, there is no math or measuring required. There are no nuts to adjust on threaded rod; simply attach the sub-roadbed to each bent using the supplied screws and you’ll have a Helix in no time.
Each piece of sub-roadbed is notched on the bottom so there is no mistake about alignment. Simply hold the notch tight to the horizontal bent piece, drive the screws, and your done. We also provide a base at each bent assembly for easy attachment to your support structure.
And we didn’t stop there. We also designed and offer complete Helix Table Kits for use with our Helix Kits. Each one is sized specifically for the corresponding Helix Kit, or custom size versions if needed.
Our Helix Table Kits are fabricated with 3/4″ plywood sides and ends, select pine cross pieces, and include 4 pre-assembled L-girder style legs with all steel threaded inserts and levelers installed so you can have a perfectly level base for your Helix. 5/8″ holes for wiring are standard, and the kits include countersunk pre-drilled pilot holes for easy assembly. In addition to these features, they also come with a 1/2″ plywood top, and are open in the center for access to the interior of your Helix. No other manufacturer offers this, another exclusive only from The Model Railroad Benchwork Store.
Quality and Affordability All in One
At The Model Railroad Benchwork Store, all of our products are designed and fabricated with ease of construction and affordability in mind, and our Helix Kits are no exception. Each one is hand-made and fabricated for each individual order. We don’t mass produce our products nor fabricate them on automated machinery; this means that each and every product we produce and sell gets the utmost attention to detail. And our customer service is next to none. We are available every step of the way, from your initial order, all the way through delivery and beyond. You can trust The Model Railroad Benchwork Store to be there through the entire process. It is our commitment to provide quality, affordable, and innovative Model Railroad Benchwork and Module Kits for every Model Railroader. Shop The Model Railroad Benchwork Store today to see the difference for yourself.
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Last Updated on 4 months ago by James from Model Railway Techniques
