It all depends on what kind of grade you want to have. For a 2" rise in 8 feet, you're looking at a 2% grade, double that rise in the same length, and it turns into 4% grade, which is pretty steep unless your using Shay or Heisler locomotives. It would help to know what length your incline will be. To calculate the grade, divide the amount of rise in inches/length of incline in inches. For example: 2"/96" = 0.0208333 or 2% grade. If you lengthen the incline, you also flatten out the grade: 2"/120" = 0.0166666 or 1.6% grade. When you're calculating your length of incline, don't forget to add space at either end to allow for transition back to level or you'll find locos (especially long steamers) that bottom out the couplers at the bottom, or uncoupling at the top. My incline is 27 feet long, which translates into 324 inches. With a 5" rise, that comes out to a very manageable 1.5% grade.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Hi all,
I am currently drawing my layout and i wanted to know how much spacing or length do i need to make a 2" or 4" incline. I will do this on the back sides of an "L" shapped layout one going up and the other down so the incline would be straight. Any ideas?