New Layout In the Works

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A lot is determined, as far as elevation is concerned, by the roadbed you use (if I understand your question). Mainlines tend to be elevated off the surrounding terrain by about 1" to as much as 3', depending on rainfall and drainage. In HO, if the tops of your rails are about 5/8" off the 'deck', you should be fine.

As for grades, try for less than 3%, and 2.5 would be better...easier to haul longer trains up them if you don't tag-team your locos. So, you have to plan for a length of track tha will get your tains up to the levels you have in mind. If your levels are in the 3-5" range in height difference, you will need about 120" - 150" of track to get to the height (a guess, I haven't actually worked it out).

One thing to be careful of with a grade; make sure it is a constant grade, and that the track doesn't wave up and down over the grade. If so, the 'ups' could have actual local grades of 5%, and your locos WILL stall, or just spin. If using extruded foam, a wire brush swept in long strokes along your grade will go a long way towards evening it out.

Has this helped at all?

-Crandell

[red p]

I am in the process of designing a new layout. In the past I have always done flatlands but now I will be modeling more of a mountainous area.
I was just wondering how some of you guys determine track elevation and grades.[?][?][?]