Hello Everyone,
I am racking my brain on my first layout and I was hoping for some help on a few questions:
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Where can I find information on a drop down so I can avoid a duck under.
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My layout will be in n scale and I was going to use a 3 foot by 8 foot closet as my helix. I was hoping to elevate it 2 1/2 inches per every 8 foot. Has this been tried before?
Those are my two big ones now. I have been in the planning stage for a year now and have been trying to self educate myself on the hobby. I have the first level of track work complete and it occupies a 9 by 13 spare bedroom. I hope to post some pics of the initial work soon. Thanks in advance.
Welcome to the forum. Sounds likean energetic first layout. Good for you. I know nothing about N gauge but I put my helix in a mountain. For HO more than a 2% grade can be troublesome in a hidden area. I have some 4% but on purpose so I can double head. 2 1/2 inches in 8 feet is close to a three % grade. I have seen lift ups that work, someone else will have to say a good word for a drop down.
A 2½" rise in 96" (8ft) is a touch over 2½%. Do-able; but you’d be better to stick with 2%, especially in a helix with its curves.
In your 3x8 ft closet, each full turn around the closet will give you about 192" of run. With a 2% grade, you would gain about 3.8" in height. That is more than adequate for bridge clearances in N-scale. If you’re planning on an upper deck, then you’ll need a 12-15" rise (or 3-4 turns around the closet).