I’m looking at using Woodland Scenics risers and inclines to make a grade with an overpass on my railroad, and in looking at the choices, they have 2% grade (4" over 16 ft.), 3% (12 ft.) and 4% (8 ft.)
Now, I don’t have a lot of space for this, but it seems to me that a 4% grade might be bit much. Is that too much rise in too little of space? should I try to fit in the 3% or 2%?
Thanks…
I’ve found that unless you’re pulling ALOT of cars that it’s fine. Thats what my whole layout will be constructed of(The subterrain system). Right now I have a few risers and inclines and it works fine, but I don’t pull more than 10 cars…
That depends on what you plan to run. Very small engines with short trains will work fine. Shays, Hielslers, 0-4-0s etc. No passanger trains, but good for logging. Can you cheat a little on the overpass clearence with a clever bridge or something? I put a double overpass on a 4x8 once, but was very limited with what would run.
Well, I’m looking at running a Consolidation, maybe an RS-3 or SW7, with no more than maybe a 10 car freight and a 1 or 2 car passenger train.
3% with a short train, Ok. With a long train, 15 cars or more, maybe, with two locos pulling. Any more than that, I seriously recommend 2% or less.
One thing to watch with the Woodland Scenics grade formers is the need for a vertical transition curve at the top and bottom of any grade. Round off the top riser, and fill in at the bottom to avoid an abrupt change. I personally allow approximately 6 inches per percent of grade differential, which makes a 3% grade 18 inches longer than you expected.
Operating on 3% uncompensated grades, a heavy (close to)HO scale loco can pull the equivalent of 15 standard freight cars without undue difficulty, but lighter locos may require helpers. Two powered diesel units should have no problem.
My 4% is operated with small tank steam locos, and anything over three US-prototype cars requires doubleheading.
Chuck
I started out to build a 2% rise but ended up about 2.5%. My engines are not really expensive, but they both will pull 16 cars up the incline with no problem. “My baby pulled 20 cars up a2.5% grade last night” Rember the thread?
Mike
Another note about those Woodland Scenic Riser.
I think they are a perfect for what they do and I love them. But somethign I found, much to my surprise, they can be as much as a .5% off. And in our world, just like the big boys, that can be alot if you are cutting it close.
What I found out was, if you pull them out of the box, lay them on the benchwork and set them, chances are, they will be steep. I think they bunch up due to the accordian style cut. You need to pull them apart to space them ever so slightly.
I would recommend measureing out your track line and makeing sure you reach you distance. When I was laying one side of the approach to my bridge, I needed to come up 4 inches, but I came up almost foot and half shorter than I expected. Luckily, I just moved my bridge up to make up for it, but I know that grade is around 2.3-2.5%.
Given it’s a 4x8 space & it’s highly doubtful that long trains will be able to run, I’d go with 4%.
I’ve going with 4% on a branch & I know I won’t have problems with it as I have a 3.5% grade on my mainline & my BB Athearn SD40-3’s have had no problem hauling 30+ cars up it.
Gordon
I have a 4x8 with a 3.1% grade and a 3.7% grade and run small steam. Of 10 engines they can pull between 5-15 cars up the 3.1%, but it drops to 1-5 cars up the 3.7%. Turns on a grad significantly increase the drag.
DITTO!!!
I didn’t think about this when I installed the WS 3% riser for connecting track between my two staging loops which are stacked. I haven’t found a problem at the bottom of the grade but the abrupt leveling off at the top has made it unusual until I fix the problem. I have had a number of unwanted uncouplings when the train starts leveling off and the remainder of the train rolls backward down the grade and into my main passenger station. I have an army of miniature personal injury lawyers ready to pounce the next time that happens.
I’s like to add a double ditto to this. Remember that the more grade the more a transition
becomes important. With anything more that about 1% you get a ramp effect at the top
and bottom. At the top of the incline, when the leading car or loco has planed out, the cars
behind are still traveling at an angle… couplers don’t like that. Good luck, Dave