track laying

[Anonymous]

What exactly is an superelevation and how do you figure it out ? tnx

[Anonymous]

Hey there. Super elevation is used on mainline track that helps keep the trains on track at higher speeds. It simply put is like a auto race track were the turns are angled / elevated so the cars can maitain there speed. The same is done to the track were the outside rail is higher than the inside rail so the train can maintain its speed. Just not done to the extreme of the auto track. Not sure how they figure it out. When I did it on my HO layout, I used 16th inch balsa strips about an 8th inch wide and put them under the every outside edge of the ties, and this worked pefect for my application. Hope I answered that OK for you..............Jamie

[Anonymous]

Jamie gave a good description...All I wanted to add is that it is not really needed on a model railroad from a performance point of view, it is just used for appearance's sake. If nfact, ict could cause performance problems!
Bill K

[Anonymous]

Pick yourself up Model Railroader's "Trackwork and Lineside Detail" book. It's published by Kalmbach and should be stocked by your local hobby shop. It has an excellent article on superelevated trackwork.