I am planning to build garden railroad in the summer and I am wondering how to measure and make a consistent grade on a “floating track” railway. Thanks!
Nathaniel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ9BLPXTEpi785ppPX7yLuQ
Hi,
Cut a length of 1 x 4 to 100 inches long.
Add a "ruler" to one end that you can adjust with a wing nut. 1" in 100 inches is a 1 % grade, etc.
https://www.inchcalculator.com/elevation-grade-calculator/
Good luck, Ed
I use my trusty digital level. It reads out a grade % without the need to calculate. This was 11% in testing, but I have up to 13% along the line.
It's short enough to use across the grade to keep that level or superelevated as needed, too.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Model Trains and RailfanningI am planning to build garden railroad in the summer and I am wondering how to measure and make a consistent grade on a “floating track” railway.
There is a separate Kalmbach forum for Garden Railroading (your log-in will work there) whose members might be able to provide additional ideas.http://cs.trains.com/grw/f/91.aspx
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Get a hose (long enough to reach most or all of your yard) and epoxy a length of clear plastic tube in each end of the hose. Attach one end with the by a portion of the track that is your "datum". Fill the hose with water so you can see it in the plastic tube. You can then move the hose around the yard and the water level in the tube will be the same level anyplace you move the hose.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
dehusmanGet a hose (long enough to reach most or all of your yard) and epoxy a length of clear plastic tube in each end of the hose.
Or just buy one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Mayes-Level-10309-Water/dp/B00004YZP8
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If you have a cell phone, there are free apps called clinometers. Place cell phone anywhere on the ties or roadbed and it will give you a reading. Or bubble levels.
https://appcrawlr.com/android-apps/best-apps-level-tool
Since the cell phone is small, it will probably have a large error of measurement in any one place you situate it due to local variance. Use a long straightedge. Situate it on the roadbed or ties, and then place the cell phone atop the device. You'll get an much better reading approximating the true gradient at that location.