Getting to an upper deck with no helix

[West Virginia Midland Man]

I know it can be done. The question is, what is the BEST way. I model West Virginia, so mountains are not a problem to hide the transition, but I don't want a MONSTER grade which will look out of place either. I am figuring no more than 8-10" between shelves for hand room.

 

[IronBeltKen]

What configuration is your layout - "island", around-the-walls, ...? If its the right shape, you might get away with using a "nolix" - a hidden track around the whole periphery of the layout that gradually winds upward or downward.

 

[West Virginia Midland Man]

Around the walls with a peninsula in a 10 x 15 spare bedroom. The 'no-lix' is a good idea, but it will have to be at least partially open, as there is no way to really completely hide it.

 

[AyTrane]

I used a no-lix to get up the 5" rise on my layout, all but the apex is hidden in a mountain along the wall. I'm not sure what options you have other than helix or no-lix. You could wind the grade up a mountain, popping in and out of tunnels.

 

[gregc]

dehydrated canal

have you considered john armstrong's dehydrated canal train elevator

see the diagrams from his book at:
http://www.france-ferroviaire.info/detours_ferroviaires/pas_de_place.htm

 

[AyTrane]

A pantograph would be a pretty nice system!

 

[Beachbum]

I much prefer nolixes to helixes myself but I saw a neat idea for a partly hidden helix - the curve radius decreased as you went higher and the inner curves of the helix were hidden in mountain tunnels. Perhaps an option if you decide against a nolix.