Hi
"New to model railroading - Just getting starting (HO)
Can anyone give me some formula for setting an incline?
I’ve picked up a few train sets over the years and never did anything with them.
No in my old age I would like to put something together with all sets and would like to have various inclines.
I guess in my dumb way, is if I have the track raised 4-5" how long or steep should the incline be?
I would make the incline 2%, a little more then 2 cm rise/metre track. So to rise it 4-5" would be around 4 metre of track.
Depends on how steep an incline you are willing to live with. If you are modeling a logging operation, steep grades are normal. Mainline freight and passenger operations avoided steep grades whenever possible.
In modeling, grades in the 2% to 4% range are fairly normal. The steeper the grade, the fewer cars an engine can pull up the grade.
Grades are identified by a percentage (1.5%, 2%, etc.) This is a ratio of rise height to run length. For example, a track that rises 1 inch in 100 inches of run is a 1% grade. 1 inch in 50 inches is a 2% grade. Asimple formula to calculate a rough grade is:
(100 inches of run length/actual inches of run length) x desired clearance = % of grade
For example, if you have 66 inches of actual run length, and you want 4 inches of clearance, the formula is: (100/66) x 4 = 6%. An actual run length of 112 inches for a 4" clearance would be (100/112) x 4 = 3.5%. (I rounded off the percentages in these examples).
Since it’s an algebraic formula, you can substitute the variables to calculate the value of any other variable. The 100 is not a variable; it’s what sets the formula to produce a percentage. For example, if you want a 2% grade and a 4 inch clearance, the formula is: (4/2) x 100 = 200 inch run. A 3.25% grade with a 4 inch clearance is: (4/3.25) x 100 = 123 inch run.
Once you determine how steep a grade you want or can live with, plug the numbers into the formula and it will tell you what you need in run length to accomplish you goal.
Hope this helps. (No, I’m not a math teacher. Just experienced with model grades!)
Darrell, calculatingly quiet…for now
Sorry for th delayed response but Iwant to thak yu very much!
Paul
Sometimes when you’re strapped for space you make inclines steeper than you should… So… I have a siding at the bottom of my steepest incline and a lonely loco sits there waiting… If I decide to bring a train up that way (only when running reverse on the layout) the loco comes out and gives a little push… Just have to put an uncoupler magnet at the top of the grade… Running DCC of course…
Did you ever figure that your favorite hobby was where you would finally use that algebra and percentages you hated in school!![:D]
It’s already been well explained previously but here’s the 3 formulas:
Length = Rise divided by % multiplied by 100
Rise = % divided by 100 multiplied by Length
% = Rise divided by Length multiplied by 100
I had them written on the wall of the train room until I finished the track work. You could just write them down on a card and tack it to the wall so it’s always handy.