Track grade from one level to the next

[Anonymous]

I'm planning a layout with 2 levels and was wandering what the steepest grade was for a 15" radius and straight track that is steep but efficient for pulling a load. My longest stretch is about 13'. I'm looking at either a helix around a mountain/hill or doing up an incline in a straight line.

[dehusman]

What scale?
How much separation between levels?

[eastcoast]

If you refer to HO, do not put any more than a 2.5% grade. If you are using 15"R
curves, you must be running short switchers.
It is ,however, hoping to say that you are running N , and I still say 2.5% as well.
Just a safe estimate to go by.

[Sperandeo]

To find the percent of gradient in any scale, divide the rise in elevation by the distance traveled to achieve that rise. For example, a rise of 4 inches in 13 feet would be 4 divided by 156 (13 feet x 12 inches), or .0256. Move the decimal point two places right to read a gradient of 2.56 percent. You can figure grades in any units you wish as long as you use the same units for rise and travel. (Grades are the same in any scale, although the elevation required to clear another track obviously increases as the scale of the trains gets bigger. )

So long,

Andy