Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

I need help on how to make an elevation in HO scale?

1347 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
I need help on how to make an elevation in HO scale?
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 30, 2004 5:51 PM
I need to have a model train set to where I can make a branch off the mainline and go up to 8 inches. The room is 12X9 and I have point to point railroad. I want the branch to go against the wall and not to much of a gradient. I am using modern diesels. The bench work is about 2 ft and half wide and around
the wall.
It looks like a big U. Any help would be great like how to hold it up.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Friday, July 30, 2004 7:53 PM
Take a look at Woodland Scenic's Sub Terranian System.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: US
  • 517 posts
Posted by jwmurrayjr on Saturday, July 31, 2004 8:57 AM
Dalas,

You might get some ideas from my website. It's a work-in-progress but it shows how to build grades using 1/2" blue foam board.

[:)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 31, 2004 2:25 PM
First off, a rise of 8 inches will require quite a bit of length. At a 3% incline, about as much as I would use, it works out (if my math still in intact, to about 22 and 1/4 feet. At 2% its 33 1/3 feet and at 1% its 66 2/3 feet.
I'm a relative newbee to this hobby so I've chose where possible to use commercially available solutions, augmented by some freelancing to make it all fit into my senario. I think a combination of what Tom and Nigel have suggested is a good approach
I used the three incline percentages in my example of the length required, as these inclines/ramps are also available commercially, as Nigel pointed out, from Woodland Scenics. I used their riser kit to build up a short 6 foot incline for a bridge with a 2 1/2" clearance. By the way, if ;you do this "ramp" approach, you have to also allow for the transition back to level. This will add a foot or so to the overall incline.
George
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 31, 2004 8:06 PM
Have you considered a switch-back branch line to gain the elevation? You may need to go back and forth a few times to get up eight inches, but it is one possible solution. Eight inches is a lot of elevation change in model railroading. Good Luck - Ed

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!