What degree of rise is this?

[Fred Bear]

Rising from 0 to 9 inches in 10 feet, is this too much for a Lionel Shay? Thanks to all, Jake

[Frank53]

generally, that's about 7.25% - that's super steep.

[HopperSJ]

Unless I am mistaken, that is a 7.5% grade. That's pretty steep since the folks around here say no more than 4%. I'll let someone else comment on whether a Shay can make it up, though.

 EDIT - Aw Frank, you beat me to it!

[willpick]

Jake, 9" in 10' is 7.5%. I think your Shay can make that grade, but if you can set up a 5 ft. long track with the high end at 4.5" you can see if it does. Try it by itself, then add a car at a time till it stalls or the wheels slip---

[trainbrain]

What is the formula you use to determine the %?  Divide total length inches into height inches?  (that is, 9/120?)    I guess  answered my own ?    Boink!

Thanks

[trainbrain]

HopperSJ----You mentioned 4% as a good grade.  Just curious, what does a Lionel over/under trestle set get for a standard set up grade?  Thanks

[jimhaleyscomet]

Check out this thread about grades. 

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/992970/ShowPost.aspx

The following thread has pictures of my grade test setup. 

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/996148/ShowPost.aspx 

Also, the lionel trestle I have raises the track 5" and usually there is about 100" of track approaching it.  So that would be 100*5"/100" is about a 5% grade.

Jim H 

[Anonymous]

Check out this thread about grades. 

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/992970/ShowPost.aspx

The following thread has pictures of my grade test setup. 

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/996148/ShowPost.aspx 

Also, the lionel trestle I have raises the track 5" and usually there is about 100" of track approaching it.  So that would be 100*5"/100" is about a 5% grade.

Jim H 

The new FasTrack Graduated Trestle set includes 22 trestles 2 each 1/2" - 5.5" in 1/2" increments.  The Elevated Trestle set is 5.5" high.

Now why are the tunnel portals 7 inches high?

[Fred Bear]

With two rubber traction tires made from an inner tuber slice, the 1666 will climb the grade and descend easily without incidnent pulling 5 cars. I do not have the Shay engine yet, UPS today maybe, but if the 1666 can do it, I'd think the Shay should handle it. Thanks to all again, Jake