I know of the Woodland Scenics foam risers, but I have never actual had occasion to use them. https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/INCLDECLSET
When I looked them up I found they were only available in set grades of 2, 3, or 4 % grades. For some reason I had thought from their appearance that they could be stretched out something like an accordion to obtain a grade % in between those set grades offered,....but apparently not so.
Does anyone else make such a variable grade riser set?
I have several locations on my new layout plan were I could make use of such an item.
I had thought I might be able to create 2.5, 2.8, or something like that with these.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Brian:
I have used the 4% ones. They are not a true 4%, they rise 1 inch in 24 inches, or 4 in 96.
They can be stretched of accordianed a very minimal amount. I suggest some other method a getting a different, desired grade.
Dave
How long are the stretches you require them for? You could make your own out of 1/2" or 1" foam. Put them on end and glue as many as you need together.
If the length in question is a little longer use splines.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I've used them for a long time. You can't really "stretch" the inclines very far, the segmentation is so you can bend them around curves. However you can cut them into segments and spread them out. I've taken a 2% incline starter and glued them to a regular riser, spreading them out to make a 1% incline. I've also taken a 3% incline set and broken it into "chunks", each about 2-3" long, and spread them out under the track to make the grade a bit less, maybe about 2-1/2%.
I have streched them out. But you got to relize that you can modify the starting grade if you use caulk and cork roadbed, you kinda float it at thr bottom. At the top you need to carve a bit to ease the transition. Real easy to do.
davidmurray Brian: I have used the 4% ones. They are not a true 4%, they rise 1 inch in 24 inches, or 4 in 96. Dave
Ok, not 4.0% but slightly higher if you do the math - 4.167. Does that bother you its not exactly 4%
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
From what I have read on the forums, it seems there is a lot of emphasis placed on trying keep grades at 2% or less. So I was thinking there might be a great deal of difference between 2.6 and 3.0% ??
That's why I've been doing my best to keep my grades low. But in some case my layout and trackplan won't allow for a more expansive runout. So its a matter of trying to achieve the best I can,...on my mainlines,...and this one track in the logging area is a loop of my mainline thru my helix (on the other side of that back wall) up there.
I do understand what you are saying there. I don't think I would ever try to math out those riser heights. Much better to use a pattern like you suggest,..
just draw it out on a scrap piece of lumber and use that as a template to find what height to cut risers to fit in any location along the grade. Don’t forget to allow for the vertical transition curves at each end.
I will likely lay out some sort of pattern like you suggest (I have several long pieces of alum that might come in handy). I figure I would have to make the pattern represent the 'top of the railhead' for that incline, then bring the combo foamcore, cork roadbed, and track up to that pattern's height,...at which point I would insert some foam riser pieces cut to the proper height to hold things in place.
BTW I already discovered one 'vertical transition' hotspot on one of my 'helix tunnels'. I made the tunnel too flat coming thru the wall, so I need to go back and angle it down just a little.
There is a fair amount of elevated track in this logging area, and I am imagining that it will be riding over variable ground terrain,...NOT up on visible risers of any sort. But, for purposes of sorting out the grades, etc I am placing the track up on these cheap plastic risers for this planning exercise.
So how to I build in these elevations and grades. My first thoughts were the use of Woodland Scenics foam riser sets, but I discovered some problems with that idea.
I am now thinking that the use of foamcore/foamboard roadbed spanning the short distances between risers made of foam would be my best bet. I can then obtain the 'custom grades' that my compact track plan forced upon me, and I generate the easements in grade at the two terminal ends of the grade.
I'm thinking I can just lay out the track plan onto the foamcore/cork ballast while lying on level ground, ....then come back and add the risers underneath to the heights I desire,...then eventually attach the terrain shape to the edges of the foamcore roadbed.