A real life 'helix'?

[PinkNosedPenguin]

Not sure of the source of this, but it was titled 'Container train from Germany to China':

https://youtu.be/KDsMb_PmSiM

That's what I call a LONG train

[b308]

Strictly speaking that's a spiral and is surprisingly common on narrow gauge lines to gain height in a small area, the Ffestiniog uses one where they had to build the "deviation line" to gain height to get around the reservoir, though this Swiss one is probably the best known, and photographed... Can't compete on the train length front though perhaps more scenic!!



http://www.rivistasitiunesco.it/wp-cont ... -linie.jpg

[PinkNosedPenguin]

Strictly speaking that's a spiral and is surprisingly common on narrow gauge lines to gain height in a small area

Yes I used the word 'helix' tongue-in-cheek .

I remember riding the Batasia Loop on the Darjeeling Mountain railway, but can't seem to find a decent photo of it - here is an artists impression:

[b308]

Yes, the only one with a garden in the middle! I'm surprised there's no aerial view of it! Early view:


http://www.indiarails.net/uploads/2/4/7 ... 0_orig.jpg

All three have been modelled at various times!

[Allegheny1600]

That's the famous "Tehachapi Loop" in California!
I've been train spotting there and in the nearby town of Tehachapi, there was (in 1995!) a cafe with a model of the loop, in fact the whole cafe was railroad themed! I'm pretty sure I ate an "engineer" burger! I believe there has also been at least one or more models featured in "Model Railroader" magazine over the years.
Sadly, I've never been back as the wonderful SP was taken over the following year and many other things happened to sour my taste for America.
Cheers,
John.

[PinkNosedPenguin]

That's the famous "Tehachapi Loop" in California!

Ahh - thanks for that info. So, nothing to do with 'Container train from Germany to China' - unless its VERY off course

[b308]

The Wikki link on it also links to this list!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_(railway)

[b308]

I'd love to travel on this bit of line, preserved 760mm Serbian line:

http://www.pbase.com/vmarinkovic/image/29666925

http://www.pbase.com/vmarinkovic/the_sargans_eihgt

[Allegheny1600]

That's the famous "Tehachapi Loop" in California!

Ahh - thanks for that info. So, nothing to do with 'Container train from Germany to China' - unless its VERY off course

I doubt that very much indeed!
More likely the folk writing the original article just chose an impressive "railway" image to show.
Cheers,
John.

[luckymucklebackit]

Strictly speaking that's a spiral and is surprisingly common on narrow gauge lines to gain height in a small area, the Ffestiniog uses one where they had to build the "deviation line" to gain height to get around the reservoir, though this Swiss one is probably the best known, and photographed... Can't compete on the train length front though perhaps more scenic!!



http://www.rivistasitiunesco.it/wp-cont ... -linie.jpg

I have been fortunate to travel over that line, and there is a sense of being on a model railway, particularly near that viaduct, where you travel parallel with a station before turning 180deg to come into the platform. It is a fabulous experience.

Jim

[Allegheny1600]

That really is by far the most scenic spiral imho.
I'd love to travel that line but - I'm scared!
Of what might happen if I were to fall in love with that line.
John.

[b308]

You'll have to buy a load of Bemo stock and Peco 12mm track and model it... Simple!!