Hi all I am thinking about putting an incline plane in my n scale layout. I am building the horseshoe curve into my layout and I would like to add the incline plane that is there... but I am but sure how to do that. Mike
Unfortunately, though I am moderately familiar with the Horseshoe curve, I' m not expert on it. But I don't understand your phrase "incline plane." I am familiar with inclines but its the "plane" thats giving me difficulty. I will answer as though it was just an "incline" you are asking about and forgive me if it is something else. A grade (incline) is a function of 100, so a 2 % grade is two units per hundred, or 2 inches of rise in every 100 inches of length. There is a lazier method which I prefer and that is to say two inches to every 8 feet (96 inches). This will give you a grade of over 2.0 but below 2.1, so still very acceptable. Any grade (incline) over 2.5 is not recommended unless you know what you are doing and why. For example, you may wish to highlight helper service and thus an incline (grade) that is steep enough to really slow or halt your trains progress, unless it has a helper, could be featured. I will have a very long 80 foot mainline length of track that will be around 2.3 % grade, but I am planing double headed modern three axle diesels, which I know will do the job on a 9 foot long train.
Mike, Here is some resource sites for your Horseshoe Curve Incline Plane. definition: The inclined plane is a plane surface set at an angle, other than a right angle, against a horizontal surface. The inclined plane permits one to overcome a large resistance by applying a relatively small force through a longer distance than the load is to be raised. http://sciencekit.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_434775 http://www.railroadcity.com/funicular.htm http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?IID=34634ac4-164e-44c9-8669-aecdddb10262&LID=2268304 ..Eddie
I looked in my latest Walthers N-Scale catalog (1998 - yeah, I know it's old but it really doesn't change that much), and Brawa made a operating funicular set ($280) which included 2 cars, the track with a passing track halfway up and all the wiring and cabling needed. Extra straight track and simple covered platform stations for ends were also sold. There is a good chance that this is still made by Brawa or others. If not, it might show up on ebay or other sites. Peter
