Climbing a Grade

[Anonymous]

I am in the process of designing (then building) my first railway.

I have an area where the plan is to put in a rock fountain (mountain scape).

Or better yet - Mt. Chuck :)

Can the 1:29 scale climb a grade - to go up and around the fountain?
(not in the fountain - but around it - I am not that new)

The hopeful mid-level climbing height (altitude) of the proposed Mt. Chuck railway passage is about 3ft-ish. If so, what grade or angle can they climb (and go down without the obvious pitfalls). I would assume the track metal used etc. would have some impact on this as well. Any comments on locomotive type, ideas, problems encountered, accessories to assist in the climb, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chuck

[Pagardener]

They say the optimim grade is 2% (rises 2 inches every 100 inches). I have a 4% grade on mine[:0]. If you exceed the 2% (I am told) you reduce the number of cars in your consist. I do not know the power of a 1:29 as my equipment is 1:22.5. On one experimental run on a 6% grade my engine could only pull the tender 3 cars and a caboose..I am hoping the 4% will allow me 5 cars..haven't tried it yet.[:I]

[cabbage]

The mathematics of the calculations I will not bore you with...

But for mountain climbing you need all your wheels to be adhesive -that is to say POWERED.

The lokeys that I have buildt all have individually powered axles -thus all the weight of the lokey is available for pulling. 4 in 100 slope is VERY steep for a lokey -even though mine were designed for poor track and rough hillsides they still like a flat track...

To climb your 3 feet tall mountain your approach will have to start 75 feet away.

Your alternative is an LGB rack loco at which slopes of 10 in 100 are possible -but not desirable!!!

regards

ralph