I’m looking for information on the Big Ten Curve. I saw a video on You Tube showing an Amtrak train going through this curve, but there was no further info on the the location or purpose of constructing the curve. Thanks to anyone who can fill me in on the details or point me to an article about the Big Ten Curve.
Here is a nice map of the area:
OK, last post by me on this one. Found this description:
The Big Ten Curve is a marvel in mountain railroad surveying. Built in 1902 by the Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway (later the Denver and Salt Lake Railroad), the Big Ten is an innovative S-shaped curve that arcs along the base of the foothills where the Great Plains transition to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It is named for its sharp, ten-degree radius curvature.
IIRC the name comes from it being a 10-degree curve - sharp for real railroads, but broader than most modellers use.
Thanks to all!
See ‘‘ColoradoRailfan.com » Photo Gallery » Train Logs - Train Logs - Big Ten Curve - Rio Grande’s Wind Break’’ at: http://www.coloradorailfan.com/TrainLog/logs.asp?p=010602
Also about halfway down the page - ‘‘ColoradoRailfan.com » Data Warehouse » Railfan Guides - Guide To Railfanning -
Chapter 1: The Moffat Tunnel Subdivision - Denver to East Portal’’, to the upper right of ‘‘Picture 8’’, at: http://www.coloradorailfan.com/data/guides/moffat/moffat.asp
- Paul North.
That’s equal to a 79-inch (over 6.5 feet) radius in HO scale.
Mark
I won’t be adding that to my layout any time soon.
Well, you can still model the correct shape and purpose of the curve which was to get up big ten hill. I’m modeling the curve on my layout, just not at the scale radius of the curve. I’m using my standard 18 degree turns. If you model it though, remember to use rio grande’s signature cinder ballast.