Figuring Out Grades and Risers

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Happy New Year, all. I am in the process of building a new HO layout. The bench work will be a combo of open grid and girder. I was wondering how you determine where the risers go and what increments you increase the riser height(s) for a 2% grade… I plan on using the “cookie-cutter” roadbed method for the raised portion. I have Linn Wescott’s book, but I can’t find any reference re: grades as far as the riser height changes for a given distance and grade percentage, etc… Thanks! - Matt

2

Matt; Pizza, beer, model railroad benchwork! Wow !
A trifecta ! Sounds good !!! …where do you live ?
I live about 100 miles northwest of Toronto Canada.
It might not be possible though, because my wife would be disappointed if she couldn’t lecture me about how there’s WAY too much NFL football on our TV this time of year…these Saturday games are more than she thinks is reasonable.
good luck & best regards / Mike

3

Per Modelrailroader April 01. “The basic formula is the number of units of rise per 100 units of run.
For example, a two percent grade climbs 2” for every 100" of travel. By the same token, a track that climbs 1" in 50" of travel is also a two percent grade".

4

That was easy! Thank you much.

5

Hi Matt; a fairly quick way to lay out your 2% grade on straight runs, is to tape a 1" thick wood block under one end of a 4 foot level , with masking tape. When this reads level, you’ve got very close to 2% [ 1 inch in 48 inches ]…similarly, you can tape a 1/2" block under one end of a 2 foot level.
For grades on a curve, often the 2 foot level can be used to come pretty close.
good luck & regards / Mike

6

Excellent idea! I’m starting to build the benchwork this weekend… Want to help!!! Pizza and beer provided ; )

Thanks for the info, as always. - Matt

7

Matt: You don’t need to figure out riser heights except for the first and last. Put in the roadbed from top to bottom and then clamp the riser to the roadbed. Use Mike’s level to get the grade exact, then fasten the riser to the bench Cut off any excess below the bench.
–David

8

Excellent idea! Thanks