Before I slide the helix into position, I am looking for a little bit of insurance to install, in the form of a guard rail. I am confident in my track laying, but, that is a long way to the floor if something goes side ways.
I've been using the search function on different forums, youtube & google, seeing what was out there. Screen seemed appealing for the outside of the helix, especially on the sides with the wall, since I couldn't rerail anything from there anyway. OK, what kind of screen? Man, there is a lot of choices out there! I didn't want screen on the inside from the point of install, uninstall if there is a problem.
What I came up with, or rather a great suggestion by Bill Beranek, the track planner, (he designed my layout,) is, drywall shims.
Home depot had this bundle for $12 & some change. They are cardboard, 45 inches long, 1 1/2" wide & .050" thick (a little less than 1/16".)
A stop at Fastenal for a supply of #4 X 3/8 sheet metal screws, and I'm ready for installation.
Getting started...
Since this is the outside of the helix, I left the strips full width and eyeballed the height above roadbed at around 3/8", give or take.....
With the outside done, I'll slide the helix into position & secure in place.
When I put strips on the inside, I was going to cut them down to an inch wide and install them with the lower edge flush with the bottom of the plywood sub road bed. The pic below, I've installed the 1" strips were the track enters/leaves the helix for maximum clearance.
Before I do the inside, I need to get the feeder wires secured. I'm using an insulated staple to do this. As with the helix "guard rail," I did various internet searches to see what was out there. The two feeder wire are so small that I really didn't find anything clamp wise that would work. There are the zip ties that are made to be secured with a screw. I didn't much care for them, so I settled on the staples. When I secure the feeder wires, I'm going to build in some stress relief.
Pre drill the holes for the staple, or you could split the plywood, (ask me how I know.)
I installed the staple to were the wires are just loose.
I used this stick to apply pressure on the feeder wires & hold them in place.......
I then took the awl and made a loop in the wires, then seated the staple.
Feeder wires secured.
Feeder wires secured, a complete vacuum of the helix, the strips for the inside are cut, their install is next.