Have I got a prototype for you!
Not too far inland from the North Coast of Japan, there is a tramway (600mm gauge, if my memory serves) that climbs a slope that appears to be about 30 degrees from the horizontal on a preposterous series of switchbacks. The slope is very nearly a plane, rocky and devoid of most vegetation. The usual train is a four-wheel `critter' and a half-dozen four wheel cars, either dump cars or open-top wood boxes on wheels. Recently I saw an ad for an HOn30 train that would be perfect for the job.
That's the good news. The flip side is, while it would be an interesting construction job (especially the scenery) operating it would be a mind-numbing bore!
The actual grade is more like 4%, but it would still only gain about 18 scale feet between stops. At two percent, half that.
I once considered building something like that as an adjunct to my smaller colliery. My reasons for rejecting the idea should be obvious.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
How about a 4x8 Vertical layout ! ! I'm thinking instead of laying the 4x8 sheet horizontal, find the ideal angle of repose and slant the sheet at a reasonable angle on a frame and construct a series of switchbacks for logging or mining. Any suggestions as to what would be a functional and not too steep angle for a operational layout, must keep in mind the grade @2% and also the power of a locomotive, I would think a lot of turnouts(switches) would be involved plus a fair amount of track behind the switch to acccomodate a few cars. Again I think the ANGLE is the critical factor to it's success.
I have not seens any photos or diagrams of such a layout (only about 2 or 3 switchbacks) on a horizontal layout. Has anyone out there done such an operation and how difficult would a project like this be? Logging/mining seems to be a second cousin to the majority of layouts on this forum.
Any suggestions will be appreciated and would like to hear from the logging/ mining group as to this possible project.