I need some help with designing my new layout. I have built several in HO scale but I want to build an N scale layout. I want to do a large freight winding through the mountains. What I need to know is how to figure out the sharpest radius I can with a 4-8-4 loco. And if any one could direct me to some info on figuring grades that would be very helpful as well. I have done two level HO layouts before but I never actually planned out the grades. I always just went with whatever. This one will be a lot more complicated of a layout so I would like to be sure everything is going to work well before I build it.
Dave
I would reccommend using some sort of flextrack and just giving it a slight bend.
It will also give a more real loook to you train winding through the mountains. I am in the same position as you are because I got a 4-6-2. It is not quite as long as yours in comparison to scale ( HO Flying Scotsman) but it is still big so i have to work out what to do with that!
HOpe this helps
I’m not in the steam era myself, but I have an old N-scale Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern that I occasionally run. I don’t really have any curves under 11” radius, and the Northern seems to take them well – but it does not look very realistic.
I suggest that you go to the Atlas Model Railroad Co website http://www.atlasrr.com/ and download their “Right track” layout planning software. It’s free and is a decent tool.
Grades are very important to understand before you plan. Most real world railroad grades rarely exceed 2 percent. That’s a 2 inch rise in height for every 100 inches in length. It doesn’t seem like much, but you will be surprised how it effects your layouts operation. I have a long 2 percent grade and it usually takes twice the motive power to move the same amount of freight cars on a level grade. Works that way in the real world too…
A great and easy tool to use for this are the Woodland Scenic incline sets. They are pre-formed flexible Styrofoam ramps that come in preset grades. I’m not a huge fan of Woodland Scenic products (mainly because I think they are overpriced), but I think this product is worth it.
thanx for the info guys. That does help a lot. I have the atlas right track software but I recently downloaded the xtrkcad and I have been messing around with that.