Hi there Z-Scale Friends, First off, hope all have been well!! Been out for about a year for personal reasons but finally found opportunity to re-start my mini railroad. Doing this with/for my youngest son to bond (and play). What is the optimal grade and target height difference - clearance(?) - between the low and elevated track? After searching this forum I found a minimum of 1.5" at a 2% grade. Can you confirm these ‘optimal’ targets as I am planning my rail plan? Thanks in advance! -Tiest Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
1;1 clearance is 22' 6" My Z ruler and Inch conversion measure agree, using a Autorack on Rokuhan roadbed track. 2% (2" in 100" / 51mm in 2.5m) is a guide and depends on some variables. Traction, number cars, type of cars (metal, plastic), Wheels (metal, plastic), curves, how well you lay the roadbed, etc. When you start the grade (transition) needs to be similar to laying a proper curve transition. But laying the actual grade will never be linear strait, so you will get some grade increases with the 2%. Make a test climb. A straight board (straight). Then set a loco you want on the track to get a data point. Then increase the grade to 3, 4, maybe even 5%. Then go back to the 2% and load ~5 car/wagons and see how well it runs up. Double check.
