Maximum safe grade for inclines? (newbie question)

[Anonymous]

We're new to the hobby. We're building an n-scale layout with Kato unitrack. We're also using stuff from woodland scenics.

The inclines come in a variety of grades.... 2%, 3%, 4%....
What's the maximum grade we can make for n-scale and have "most" trains run on it? We're tight for space, but want to make an "over and under" as part of the layout.

tahnks for any help.

[Anonymous]

I dont know what N scale inclines are in % but you need to consider how long your trains are going to be. That will be the load on your engines. If you can pull a train of 10 cars on the level track, a 3% grade probably will knock you down to 5 cars. You would have to run two locomotives (Powered) or even 3 to get the same 10 cars up the grade.

In HO I wont do any more than 3%

If you have curves AND a grade you will increase the load on the locomotives and decrease the number of cars you can safely pull without the whole thing being pulled off the track towards the inside of the curve.

Others will help you with this subject, I gave only general ideas about grades.

[dehusman]

The length of the grade, the length of the train and the number ans strength of the engines all have something to do with it.

If you are working in inches, the % grade is the rise in inches in a 100 inches of run.

An easy way to test things are to get two eight foot 1x2's or 1x4's. Lay them down on the floor end to end. Attach flex track to one of them them (Actually you want to leave about a foot or so unattached where it butts up against the other 1x4. If you use soft pine you can attach the track with thumbtacks between the rails.

Eight feet is 96 inches which is pretty close to 100. If you raise the end of the board with the flex track attached 1 in, you have pretty close to a 1% grade, if you raise it 2 inches you get about a 2% grade and so on. Notice that the flex track at the joint forms a vertical curve and lifts off the boards, thats why I said not to attach it.

Put a test train (a typical train you might operate) on the flat portion and run it up the grade. You can test your trains to see what combination of grades and equipment works best for you. Back off a half % grade just for insurance and that gives you about what you should use.

A handy way to measure grades is to take 1/8 or 1/4 in balsa wood or plastic and cut out pieces to make a set of "stairs" aabout 1 1/2 in wide with each step about 1 in deep. Then you can use a 24" or 48" level to measure your grades. If you are using a 24" level, put it on the grade and put the steps under the low end. If you want a 2% grade, that's 2' in 8 feet, 1 in in 4 feet, 1/2 in in 2 feet. Put the low end of the level on the 1/2 in. step adn then adjust the level until its level, the grade is now 2%. Do that at each riser and you can get very smooth even grades, and its quick and easy to do.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

2% is the biggest I have and a 20 some car consist and two locos fight it . I think 3% is pushing it 4% is crazy

[Anonymous]

My BLI Heavy Mike is able to restart a stopped a train on a 3% in HO at 15 cars. The 24" curve at the top really "bites" into the engine though.

[egmurphy]

N scale locos, especially steam, seem to have less proportional pulling power than their HO counterparts, so you can't go just by HO. General advice on several N scale forums (including Atlas and TrainBoard) seems to be to try to keep it under 2%. I have a small layout with a 3% grade and one that's somewhere in the 3-1/2% +/- area, and it noticeably cuts down how much I can pull.

Of course, on my small layout the trains are short anyway so it's not a show stopper. But if I have a chance to do it again I'll probably look at 2% to maybe 2-1/2% as a limit.

Dave H had a good suggestion regarding testing it yourself. If you're using Unitrack you might try setting up a test section and see how your locos act on various grades. Remember that curves add to the 'effective grade', and small N scale layouts typically have curves and grades combined, so remember to include some curves in your test track.

Regards

Ed

[bogp40]

Grade is grade , scale makes no difference in the measurements, but as egmurphey recommends the smaller scale is affected. I would try to keep most and all mainline grades to no greater than 2%. On smaller branchlines you could use 3% and mining and logging line could use 31/2-4%
Bob K.

[dano99a]

4% may be crazy but then again, the C&O ran coal up and down a 4%, they did it to steamers and to GP7's and 9's
[:)]

[dave9999]

Red Marble Grade on the Murphy branch of the Southern Ry averages 5.8% for three miles. In places
it exceeds 6%.[wow] But I wouldn't think it would be much fun on a model railroad. Good luck, Dave

[Anonymous]

I made the mistake of running a 4% grade on a 22" radius curve for my HO layout and the new layout, due to begin soon, will have a maximum of 2%!

My locos have to be double and triple headed to pull any decent consist up this hill, otherwise are limited to 3 or 4 cars! Size is always a concern, but try your best to keep the grades as gentle as possible. Remember, most mainline real life railroads tried to do everything possible to keep grades below 2%!