Before I get flamed to bad, I just want to know if there is a standard for grades. I think most of us run 2 to 2.5%.
What is the highest grade you would concider using?
I’m thinking of pushing close to 4% for a double decker layout.
Thoughts?
I’m using small steam, so take this in that light. However, notice the fall off. I have 10 engines that on a a 3.1% slope can pull 5 to 15 cars. These same engines on a 3.7% slope can pull only 1-4 cars.
[#ditto] to what Chip said
Also consider the overall grade. A short grade of 4%, say a few cars long, is not as tough as the same grade longer than the whole train.
Ray,
You might also take any curve into consideration. If the grade is on a curve, you’ll have more friction, and the engines will have a harder time.
I have a couple of grades at close to 4%, but they are short. A train of 12 cars has the last 3-4 cars still on the flat lower track, while the engine has reached the summit. I’ve had no problems with newer Athern and Stewart Hobbies F3’s and F7’s pulling 12-15 cars up the grade. Also, my one large steam loco – a BLI 4-8-4 – barely shows any strain at all.
However, my small steam 0-6-0 switcher can’t make it up the grade with 3 cars. But that’s not really at issue, since the grade is only on a mainline, where the switcher is almost never going to go.
Thanks!
So it would be best if I want to run a 15-20 car train to keep my grades less then 3% and more then likely better to keep it closer to a 2-2.5% grade.
Absolutely!
If possible, re-design your layout plan to reduce the grades even further. Railroads went to great expense to keep grades as low as possible. Even 1% to 1 1/2% grades were considered steep!
Darrell, quiet…for now
The short answer is no. Even the prototypes differ on what their maximum grade will be.
Whatever works for the available space… It really depends on how long the grade is. A 4% grade for three inches is nothing. a 4% grade for a 10 feet streach of track is a big deal. This gets into the concept of what is called a ruling grade. It also depends if the grade is on straight or curved track.
When the Northern Pacific was new it had a section of switchbacks on a 6% grade. They had custom built dual direction locomotives that would work with one at either end of the train taking a cuts of about 4 cars at a time over the hill. There was great rejoicing when this section was bypassed with a tunnel.
At what point do grades look silly??? I’d consider a step grade and provide a helper service (I think it adds some operational fun to a smaller size layout.) …but I don’t want the grade to look stupid.
I’m actually wanting to do a second level to my layout but discovered using a 2% grade would require a helix or a nolix. Both of which would require too much room.