Hello Thorin - It's difficult to come up with a quick formula for a grade transition because of the many variables involved such as wheel base of locomotives, length of cars, etc.
My opinion is that if your layout needs a 4% grade to enable you to operate on two levels then any transition will be too long for you to incorporate in your layout - not to mention that chances are your trains will not operate on 4%. Before you commit to a layout design I suggest you experiment. Find a long board, temporarily set up some flex track on it, and try running your anticipated trains up various grades using this board. If you find your trains will handle the grade you need then experiment with transitions. You can use some plywood and allow the natural flex of the plywood to act as the vertical transition. Nail it flat on the low end and block up the other end - remember you need a transition on both ends - high and low. This is more reliable and convincing than any formula. Art A ----- Original Message ----- From: Marty.Thorin To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [email protected] Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 4:53 AM Subject: {S-Scale List} Transition segments Good morning! I am doing some armchair layout construction. I will need a 4% grade for this proposal. I am worried about going from 0% grade to 4% grade without a transition. I looked at the NMRA website and they do not discuss grades (nor transitions). I did a web search and did not find anything about grade transition. (I did find Woodland Scenic's foam grades and wondered if these have transitions.) How long is the transition section from flat to 4% and how much rise does it yield? 2%? 3%? Is there a formula? Many thanks in advance for this information, Thorin [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
