Hello All,
Yes Rick it is a tight curve to say the least!
On the loop I threw in a 3-inch straight section about halfway around and a 6-inch straight section at the bottom to “loosen” it up a bit, but it’s still a tight loop.
The purpose for the elevated section is for the unloading of the operating hoppers to the empties on the parallel track below. Which makes it pretty much a downhill only (clock-wise) route for the empty hoppers. The hoppers are 34-feet long and can negotiate down the loop.
That’s why I use GP30’s. Once the hoppers are emptied the two pusher GP30’s are cut loose and the single head-end GP30 eases the empties down the loop to the mainline and the GP40’s takeover. It’s a slow operation but on a small layout slow is not necessarily a bad thing.
Occasionally the “Olde Tyme” excursion train will run this clock-wise route with its USRA 0-6-0 and the two 47-foot excursion cars and caboose. Because it’s an excursion trip speed is not of the essence.
The inspiration for this freelance pike is the actual narrow gage Georgetown Loop Railroad here in Colorado.