35 - Cascade Tunnel helix approaches

In this video, I only planned to work on some of the trackwork east of Skykomish and skyboards, but ended up also working on the approaches for both the middle and lower deck ready for the helix that will act as the Cascade Tunnel.

[@Microbus]

The trestle bridge is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to see it.

[@gncascadedivision]

Once I figure out exactly what I want to do, sure! I think it'll be quite a while before this one gets more than a curved strip of plywood, as I want to make sure I can really do it justice. Iain

[@555metroman]

Helixs are just complicated. nice work. Thanks for letting us in on your project.

[@gncascadedivision]

Yep, they are. And great places for things to go wrong! So, I'm trying to minimize how much trains have to run through them. Iain

[@ericcoughlan]

I like how you have thought about the time it takes to run through a helix. The Sydney N's layout helixes require at least 5 minutes to traverse and that is a long time. On one of the helixes, we installed a camera and a small video screen so we could monitor the progress of the train around the helix, but that is more because we have some operators who push the boundaries of loco power versus length of train, and need to ensure that the train does not stall going up the helix.

[@gncascadedivision]

Thanks, Eric. Yep, loading up the trains too much so that the locos stall is definitely a problem. I need two locos to pull a 20-car freight train, which would be fairly prototypical anyway. The upper helix seems to work fine, so I'm hoping this Cascade helix goes the same way in time. Iain

[@mikeseelye436]

Looks great!!!!

[@gncascadedivision]

Thanks! Looking forward to getting the helix built and running trains down to the lower deck soon. Iain

[@user-io8rl8sz7n]

Hey Iain. Great work on your very challenging layout. In regards to your concern about the time trains will spend in your Cascade Tunnel helix, I am building portable N scale layout on a 6 x 9 foot board that has a helix hidden under a mountain on one corner. It's only a two-turn helix but I wanted to see the trains moving on it. I designed a cutout into the mountain side on the top level of the helix for about 12 running inches with a tunnel portal at each end. If you are interested, I can send photos of the layout to your email address. BTW I also am planning a Leavenworth style Bavarian town on my layout which features GN, NP and SP&S trains.

[@rogereldridge8233]

Nice seeing the progress, for me it comes in bursts too.

[@gncascadedivision]

Yep, that's usually how it goes with a lot of folks!

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Looking good, keep poking at it.

[@gncascadedivision]

Slowly but surely :)

[@johnbanicki7232]

Making good progress. Thanks for sharing.

[@gncascadedivision]

Thanks, slowly getting there!

[@kevinbohnenblust5844]

Great work, great update! A friendly question: Are your LED strips variable light temperatures? I see the same horizontal grey bars I get on my videos, and I'm trying to hunt down the cause. Again, great stuff. I look forward to watching your progress!

[@gncascadedivision]

They're cool white 5,000k AC5050 LEDs, and it's something with the refresh rate of the GoPro (I think). Cellphone camera doesn't have the same grey bands. The GoPro is about to be ditched at this point :) The lights look really nice in person, but the grey banding on video is a pain. Iain

[@kevinbohnenblust2930]

Thanks for the info! @@gncascadedivision