Atherns 48 ft. well cars

[kbbgood]

If I was to get a few sets of Atherns 48 ft. well cars how tall do they get double stacked? Need to know cause of building a helix. Seams like every thing depends on everything else building this thing. How wide does the helix need to be for double lanes?

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning. Be aware that Athearn well cars will negotiate 22" curves on level track. But they have a tendency to stringline, that is tip over to the inside of a curve especially on a grade, if everything isn't just perfect. Secondly, the NMRA gauge calls for 2 11/32" clearance, you want "finger room" as well. Most helixes have 3 3/4" - 4" clearance. For a double track helix, I would go a minimum of 24" on the inner track and 26 1/2" on the outer track. This allows two trains to pass without clipping each other. Even then, I would use the inner track only for downgrade trains. So depending on the "shoulder" on the outside, the overall helix would be about 56" -60" across. I would personally go with wider radii if possible. Note that at a 24" radius, a 2% grade (recommended) will only get 3 1/8" clearance and that's without roadbed and track height which need to be added in. Helixes are not easy!

Willie

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Not just the well car height but the size of containers you plan to carry in them. They are not all the same size.

 

[santafewillie]

I posted this link in your other thread as well.
http://www.modelbuildings.org/free-helix-design-calculator.html

Willie

 

[railBuilderDhd]

Nice calculator Willie. Thanks for the link. I'm not doing a helix but if I was I can tell you I would be running numbers on that calculator.

Dave