Nice!! I'm curious, what radius of track did you use for your helix, and how much vertical space between each turn? It LOOKS like O31 but dang that would be a tough climb! Thanks for sharing!
Yes it is 031. But keep this in mind. I am only running the subway train on it, so its not a long train and the motor is good and strong. Also since the subway cars are pretty low I made the helix so that it only elevates enough to clear the next rotation. So the vertical space between each level is just a little taller than the subway car. If this was a feature on a permanent layout. I would strongly consider a larger radius , but I found that this works quite well for this application. Thanks. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I never tried 6 cars. maybe it would work. You could always make a larger diameter helix, which would lessen the grade. I used 031 curves because of a space issue.
My subway stops in the station automatically, I used an insulated rail track (both outer rails). They get powered when another train (separate track, same ZW transformer) runs over an insulated rail and the subway car moves. By the way, I wired the lighting in the first car to the next car so it wouldn't go out while in the station.
I'm more interested in knowing HOW you achieved the rear marker lights on your R-26. Is it directional lighting and if so, again how did you manage to get that to work? I've got directional lighting on my HO Walthers Proto 1000 NYCTA subway sets, but the MTH HO NYCTA subway sets was far more challenging and my tech currently has my O-scale R-26 attempting to upgrade the set to directional lighting.
Hello Mark, Good to hear from you. When I bought this set, it drove me nuts that the rear lights did not light. So I took a very small bulb , often times referred to as a " grain of wheat bulb" and it fit perfectly behind the red lights. I then just wired it in to the lighting wiring. So , they are not directional but I only ever go in one direction with this set. It took about 15 min to do. Very easy.
This train is from MTH. Of course MTH is going out of business, but you can find them on e bay or even train shops still have old stock. Lionel does have some subway trains but I like the MTH better.
They are made of wood. Since I take my layout down every year I had to keep it simple. I believe they are 3/4" Square. There are 3 pieces the top piece sits on top of the 2 legs I glue and nail everything. Then I ad the little feet on the bottom so that I have something to nail into to hold it to the platform.they are made from masonite or hard board
Great thanks I would probably need to go 13 inches high so it won’t interfere with my figure 8 so I wanted to use something that is strong and sturdy and I feel wood is the best answer. So basically you just used 3/4 plywood and screwed and glued everything down
@@NS-gr5dc NO NO NO . not plywood. I think that would be a mess. This was 1x6 pine from home depot. (1x whatever) is 3/4" then I just cut 3/4 " strips off of the 1x6 . If you dont have access to a table saw you could just buy 1x1 which is 3/4 x 3/4 . But use solid pine not plywood.
AWESOME post. I LOVE the helix. Great job!
thanks. I look forward to this train season.
Brilliant engineering and cinematography. Fantastic work on the underground station as well. Many thanks for posting.
OUTSTANDING, YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THE SOLUTION TO GET FROM TOP TO BOTOM!!!! THNX BOB F.
Great Im glad this helped. Make sure you post a video of the finished product. Id love to see it.
That is so cool I like that the elevation
That's a great job. Definitely gets the imagination going.
Nice work.
Nice!! I'm curious, what radius of track did you use for your helix, and how much vertical space between each turn? It LOOKS like O31 but dang that would be a tough climb! Thanks for sharing!
Yes it is 031. But keep this in mind. I am only running the subway train on it, so its not a long train and the motor is good and strong. Also since the subway cars are pretty low I made the helix so that it only elevates enough to clear the next rotation. So the vertical space between each level is just a little taller than the subway car. If this was a feature on a permanent layout. I would strongly consider a larger radius , but I found that this works quite well for this application. Thanks. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I like that! Question. How does the powered car do pulling a longer train up the helix? Let's say 6 cars
I never tried 6 cars. maybe it would work. You could always make a larger diameter helix, which would lessen the grade. I used 031 curves because of a space issue.
@@yeksun Super O, and Fasttrack are both a 36" curve.
My subway stops in the station automatically, I used an insulated rail track (both outer rails). They get powered when another train (separate track, same ZW transformer) runs over an insulated rail and the subway car moves. By the way, I wired the lighting in the first car to the next car so it wouldn't go out while in the station.
That is a very good idea . I may use that. Thanks for sharing.
I'm more interested in knowing HOW you achieved the rear marker lights on your R-26. Is it directional lighting and if so, again how did you manage to get that to work? I've got directional lighting on my HO Walthers Proto 1000 NYCTA subway sets, but the MTH HO NYCTA subway sets was far more challenging and my tech currently has my O-scale R-26 attempting to upgrade the set to directional lighting.
Hello Mark, Good to hear from you. When I bought this set, it drove me nuts that the rear lights did not light. So I took a very small bulb , often times referred to as a " grain of wheat bulb" and it fit perfectly behind the red lights. I then just wired it in to the lighting wiring. So , they are not directional but I only ever go in one direction with this set. It took about 15 min to do. Very easy.
Nice
Is that Train from Lional? Do they still make these trains?
This train is from MTH. Of course MTH is going out of business, but you can find them on e bay or even train shops still have old stock. Lionel does have some subway trains but I like the MTH better.
AWESOME....
What are your supports made out of
They are made of wood. Since I take my layout down every year I had to keep it simple. I believe they are 3/4" Square. There are 3 pieces the top piece sits on top of the 2 legs I glue and nail everything. Then I ad the little feet on the bottom so that I have something to nail into to hold it to the platform.they are made from masonite or hard board
Great thanks I would probably need to go 13 inches high so it won’t interfere with my figure 8 so I wanted to use something that is strong and sturdy and I feel wood is the best answer. So basically you just used 3/4 plywood and screwed and glued everything down
Also does a store like michaels would have that wood or just Home Depot. Where is that wood from? Thanks
@@NS-gr5dc NO NO NO . not plywood. I think that would be a mess. This was 1x6 pine from home depot. (1x whatever) is 3/4" then I just cut 3/4 " strips off of the 1x6 . If you dont have access to a table saw you could just buy 1x1 which is 3/4 x 3/4 . But use solid pine not plywood.
yeksun ok I think I know which wood that you are talking about. Something that’s similar to shelving. Thank you.
I'm a Philly boy to
I wish they made subway cars that looked like the old "almond joy" market Franford cars. But for now I use the NYC subway cars.
If you're ever interested in selling that subway station, I'd take it.
2021?
Sorry I did not do a layout for 2020. I will do one in 2021. I hope it will be great.
O