The helix was a weekend project

The addition of a helix was a weekend project that ultimately required five sets of hands, and the expertise of model railroader David James (for whom the James Creek Railway branch line is named) before it ran properly. Helping were Ken Heyl of Ashland, Ohio, and Bob Gouirand of St. Louis; Russ Hachtel, also from Ashland, even got involved when he stopped briefly on the way to an Arizona vacation.The helix is a product of EasyHelix of Milwaukee, WI, and comes in 9-inch sections that have to be assembled; assembly was a bear, outdone only by the adjustments to the tracks. The friendships survived, although strained at times. It runs well.