I am building a two deck layout. there will be a 2 foot spacing between the two levels. I want to use a 2% or less grade. what is the formula to caluclate the number of track feet needed to do this? the lay out is two 8x3 ft tables set at an "L" shape. i was thinking of running a long oval (7 ft + long) under one of the tables and use the other as a staging area. Oh yes, i am modeling in n gauge. Paul
Scale (N vs HO) makes no difference in grades, which is Grade% = Rise/Run * 100 So you have 2% = 24" / run * 100 Solve for "run" Run = 1200" Another (quicker) way to approximate is 2% = 2" of rise for every 100" of run. You have to go up 12 units of 2" each. 12x100" is 1200" of run. If you are intending the second level just for staging, you might want to look at the "surrond staging" idea here: http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/33/t/000322.html Scroll down until you get to the third track plan. Everything "behind" the blue line is on the same level, but it is hidden by a hill on the layout. Andrew
Hey!! That's MY layout!! Regarding grades and the helix, refer to what MasonJar said.. Regarding "surround staging", I'm no expert at it by any means but if you have any questions about how I'm doing mine I'll be glad to answer them.
No credit needed....I was just expecting the link to go to some famous, awesome layout or something and then when I clicked it my little ole' layout popped up. I was expecting a Paul Templar special or something.
But it is an awesome layout... Just remember "the mighty oak was once a nut like you (or me )" Andrew
You callin' me a nut?? Hehehe....it's not too awesome or I wouldn't be in the process of changing it AGAIN. Actually, I'm just changing the industry areas up some. Seemed kind of boring to me.
Yes, the original question - there's an idea The reason I suggested the surround staging, and linked you to Hoss' plan, is that it is an "L" shape too, and reasonably small, which prevents using 100 feet of grade to get you from one level to the other easily. Other advantages of surround staging over a second level connected by a helix are 1) trains are immediately "self-staging" - as they come of the active layout, they are ready to go back on again without reversing or complicated switching moves to turn the loco. 2) they are available right away - no "5 minutes on the layout and 25 in staging" runs. Since your layout is two 8x3 areas in an L shape, a helix would overwhelm the layout. Also, a helix is a curve on a slope (by definition) and therefore is more difficult to pull a train up. If your loco hauls 30 cars up a straight 2%, you can expect it to pull less once you hit a curve. Reduce the pulling power even more the tighter you go. Hope this is helpful, and sorry 'bout the little "intermission" Andrew
Paul go here [ http://atlasrr.com/ ] and look for RTS Down load this program will do the math for you and show you what your lay out will look like in the space you have. Mr Train
Good idea. I didn't think to mention RTS just because I always assume that everyone already knows about it. Although RTS has limitations, it's a great little track planning tool to have (especially since it's free). It's pretty simple to use and has a short learning curve.
