I am using MTH Realtrack how much grade is two much . I’m planning 1/2" rise for every section of track which I’ve calculated to be a 5 % grade is this to much on MTH Engines
In Ho scale: roughly a 2" rise in 8’ is 2% grade. Max I would go is a 3% grade.
In the real world grade is calculated at one foot rise in onehundred feet is 1%, 2 feet rise in onehundred feet is 2% and so on. It is the same in scale. If you are in 1:48 scale (1/4 inch equal one foot) then 1/4" rise in 25 inches is 1% 1/2" in 25 is 2%. See? Tack a 3 foot length of straight track to a 1x4 and clip wires to it. Measure 25" from one end and make a mark, that is 100 scale feet. Place your engine on the track and raise the board enough at the other end so the MARK is 1-1/4 inch off the table top. (5%)SLOWLY start the engine and see if the wheels spin. Raise the board until the wheels spin and the engine does not have enough traction to go up the incline. Measure how far it is from the bottom of the board at the mark, down to the table top. That is the maximum per cent grade your engine will climb alone. Some engines will not go up, others may go up a steeper incline. When you add cars (on a longer board) your first engine will not be able to pull them up the steep grade. It is the same in the real world, and this is an easy test to make. Enjoy.
That is to much. You should go to kay dee web sight and check out there sight.