grade elevation

[Anonymous]

In Grade elavation what percent would 1 inch height to 1 foot length be.

[BR60103]

a grade of 1 in 12 is 8.3% (1 divided by 12).

This is awfully steep.


David

[Anonymous]

8.3% ??? - only if you're running cable cars.

[Anonymous]

If I remember correctly a Shay is suppose to be able to do a 12% grade, but that might be only when it's pulling empties! (chuckle)....Walt

[Anonymous]

You are probably right about the prototype, but I wonder what a model Shay can handle? I know it's more than the "normal" stuff ("abnormal" stuff for you Shay fans, sorry), but 12%?

[Anonymous]

I've heard that to get close for HO scale it's 1" rise per 8'run. I don't know for sure. Maybe there is a site or reference book that has a table. Perhaps someone could enlighten this "Novice".

Thanks,

John

[Anonymous]

1" in a 8' run is about a 1% grade. 8 feet is 96 inches, rise/run = 1/96 = .0104, = 1.04%

[Anonymous]

Guys, Go by feet instead of inches. You know how many feet to an inch in your scale, or you should. Now a 1% grade rises or falls 1ft every 100ft. Likewise, a 2% grade would be 2ft every 100ft. Now figure that out in your scale.......Jamie

[Anonymous]

Jamie, congratulations on being able to clearly read one foot on an HO scale rule.
regards/Mike

[Anonymous]

It doesn't make any difference what scale you're in or what units you use to measure the rise and run, as long as you use the SAME units for both. You can measure the rise and run in feet, inches, HO scale centimeters, N scale cubits or S scale light years - it just does not make any difference.

[Anonymous]

Mike, did I mention that I like CARROTS a lot?...Jamie

[Anonymous]

Gentleman as a novice,still,could someone tell me how much is too much to maintain a continuous 2% grade with curves in Ho

[Anonymous]

Gentleman as a novice,still,could someone tell me how much is too much to maintain a continuous 2% grade with curves in Ho

[Anonymous]

Bill, I have a Bauchman 3 truck Shay but unfortunately I don't have a power pack yet. My intention is to test it though just to see what kind of a grade it can take and how many cars (weight) it can haul up that grade. I'll post it here once I complete the trials! (chuckle) I'm going to a train show in Muncie this weekend, maybe I'll find a cheap (inexpensive) throttle there. I haven't bought one before now as I haven't started my layout and I'm not sure just what I'll need. My stupid occupation keeps getting in the way, always some new software to learn to stay marketable! (grin)....Walt

[Anonymous]

I am not sure if I am answering your question, but ...

In order to cross over yourself on a piece of track in HO scale you have to rise three inches, although three and one-half is better for planning purposes. To rise three inches at a two percent grade you have to travel one hundred fifty inches horizontally. In a three hundred sixty degree curve, the radius has to be about 25 inches to make it. If you want to get up three and one-half inches at two percent, you have to go one hundred seventy five inches which corresponds to a radius of about 29 inches, I think. (I'm doing the math in my head.)

If this isn't the question you wanted an answer for, then please restate the question.

Good Luck - Ed

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your response. Basically, is 90 continuously running feet at a 2% grade too much for 1,2, or 3 engines, pulling 10 to 30 cars?

[Anonymous]

Paulie;
We produce the helix kit advertised in MR and MRP. The kit has over 80 feet of track per main and we have had no problem with two or more HO engines pulling 25 to 30 car trains. Of course, downgrade is easy. There was a good thread about the affect of physics on model trains. Additionally, check out the Kalmbach books on Track Planning and Realistic Design by Mr. Armstrong. They are a great resource and will help with understanding the dynamics of model railroading. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Thank you,guys. you both knew exactly what I needed to know. talk later.