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Depends on length of consist, helper locos, wheel friction, loco weight and traction. A small layout with short trains tolerates grades better. Grade percent (rather than degrees of incline) is the term usually used - 1% means 1 unit rise for every 100 units travelled horizontally, so a 100% grade is a 45 degree incline. <br /> <br />Rules of thumb are 4% absolute max, although have gotten away with 5% when only a loco and maybe 1-2 cars is run, such as on a short reversing track. Some locos will not even get themselves alone up 5.5% without traction tires. 3% is better and usually works for 10-12 car consists. 2% even better if you have the space. If your dream and space is 100 car consists, stick with 0% or maybe 1% at the most.
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