How to raise to 1' higher?

[Anonymous]

What you would have is a 4% grade AND a relatively tight curve - not a good combination. Your engine may be able to go up a 4% grade and it may be able to go around an 8' diameter curve, but it may not be able to do both simultaneously.

I speak from experience as I have a similar situation. I have one part of my layout where the track goes through a tunnel and then loops around and over the tunnel. I had to raise the track 14" to clear the tunnel. I added some straights to make an oval of about 40' which results in a ~3% grade around an 8' diameter curve. This is the one area of my layout where I have the most problems; for example, my LGB Mogul won't pull more than 2 or 3 cars up that hill. If I try to pull more, the engine wheels start slipping on the track while the engine just sits there. I believe the motor is capable of pulling more; but, there just isn't enough traction. My Aristocraft SD-45 does a little better since it has more driving wheels; but, even it has problems if I try to pull too many cars. Again, it's not because the motor can't handle the load, there just isn't enough traction between the wheels and the track to overcome the friction resulting from the combined grade and tight curve.

If I were to do it over again (which I may do someday), I would elongate the oval even more so that I could maintain a maximum 2% grade around the curves and 3% grade on the straight sections.

Jon

[d4fal]

That's a great link to have. Thanks kimbrit

[Anonymous]

Hi Iam new to his MTH says there train will run on a R2 curves. Does anyone know if that mite be a 4' R

[smcgill]

I'm not having any problems running any train on it just as long as I go down hill!
Most of my trains are small so grades are not a problem!

[Anonymous]

You're right about that grade Sandy, 4% is a bit steep. I think that'll need a spur at the bottom for the banking loco!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[SandyR]

Four % is pretty steep.
SandyR

[DSchmitt]

An 8-foot diamater circle has a circumference of 25.1328 feet. (pi times diameter, that is 3.1416 x 8 = 25.1328)

Percent of grade is the rise in 100 linear units. For instance a 1' rise in 100' is a 1% grade. 1" in 100" = 1%, 1 meter in 100 meters = 1%

With an 8' dia you have a 1' rise in approximately 25' , or 4' in 100' which is a 4% grade
The formula for percent of grade is: rise divided by run times 100. If H=rise and L= run then H/L x 100 = % or 1'/25' x 100 = 4%

With a 10' dia circle the circumference is approximately 31' the grade is: 1'/31' x 100 = 3.23%

[Chompers]

what are you talking about?[%-)][%-)][%-)]

I tried the site and sow many links!![xx(][X-)]

where do you go![:D]

GTG, moms comming got to finish my home work.[:D][xx(][:P][;)][D)][D)][D)]

[Anonymous]

Hi smcgill,

A handy site - http://www.onlinecalculators.net solves the diameter to circumference thing.
8' = 25.13'
10' = 31.41'

The easier the grade the better it is!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[smcgill]

I was wondering if I wanted to go 1' higher if a 8' circle will be enough ?
This is needed to complete the loop.