Hi Thorin --
Based upon my experience, if you are running scale equipment you should not
exceed 1% grade change per foot, particularly if you are running big steam.
If you are only using 4 wheel trucked diesels, you could probably get away
with half of that (1% change per 6 inches), but I think that you are still
going to encounter some operational troubles like unintentional uncouplings.
If you are doing this on a curve, it would probably be good to increase the
distance to 1% change per 18".... Using the Woodland Scenics starter
pieces is OK, but I think the minimum grade is 2%, so some filling would
probably be necessary at the entry points. One has to be especially
careful of the "outside" vertical curve where the track is falling away from
the train. Most long wheelbase locos don't take kindly to having their
flanged drivers dangling in the air from the loco being high centered!
Have fun!
Bill Winans
Prescott Valley, AZ
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
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/
