% = vertical ft / horizontal feet. For example: 2% = 2 foot vertical feet in 100 horizontal feet
The Camino, Placerville and Lake Tahoe (connected end-on to the SP at Placerville) operated with Shays - maximum 5% grade. The writeup included a note that cars would have to be heavy enough to have effective brake action when running downgrade.
Brother Lion, do I detect one of your pride directly below the red flag on the left elevated track in your photo?
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Pennsylvania Railarods Madison Hill between Cinncinati and Kentucky was 5.71 percent. I am not sure if it is still used.
Why, yes, I believe there is a LION there.
ROAR
We are talking regular trains not cog railways or the Haifa Carmelit which are designed to go up moutains.