Hey Group - In my planning, I am thinking about putting a hidden loop under the rest of my layout (about 4"). In doing this, I have about 5 feet to get there. I am thinking about lowering the track an inch every foot. Is this an acceptable incline and using Walthers & Athern loco's will the pull it? Ron
An inch every foot..... 8.5% grade... Sounds like some serious limitations to me. The locomotives should be able to do it, but not pulling much load. I've got a folded dogbone on a 4 X 8 layout with about 4% grades. That's 37 feet of continuous running track, and I can't pull much more than about 12 coal cars loaded with coal (heavy loads) with an Athearn AC4400 that I've added about 12 ounces of lead to increase traction. I'm guessing that at 8.5% grade I'd be down to probably 4 or 5 cars. I'd say to keep it down to a 4% grade or less, or change philosophies a little and run Shays like an old-time lumber company and not try to run nomal freight. I'd also watch out for the curves combined with the grade. Combining steep grades with sharp curves is a killer for sure. Mark
Ron, Have considered using a helix or even half a helix? This may make the grades easier. What you are proposing is kind of steep and would only make you more frustrated in the end. See if you can make the grades more gentle by using curves/helix.
4% is really about the most you ever want. 2% is better as most trains will slow but will be able to handle 2%. Say a 24" radius curve, in 180 degrees travels a distance of 75 inches. (3.14x24) a 4% grade will give you 3" of drop. A full circle (helix) with a 3% grade (steep but not impossible) at 24" radius gets 4.5" seperation (3.14x24X2X.03) if you only want 4" then a full circle will get you that with a 2.66% grade.
Lets see if I can describe this a little better. I am using 32" curves. The table is 6' x 10', on each side of the 10' section is a small town. I thought it would be neat that after leaving town A, the track drop down and make a loop under then climb back up before it hit the next town. kinda like a messed up figure 8. Thanks for the replies..... Ron
That should not be too bad (If I think I know what you mean) - in the 180 degree section of the 32" radius curve you have 100 linear inches - so you can get a 4" drop with a 4% grade. You can go this in 2% grades having one turn back curve go down 2" and the turn back curve on the other side go up 2" (if you are making an oval or figure 8 sort of thing.)
