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Can someone please explain this?

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Can someone please explain this?
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 2:13 PM
Hi All,
I am trying to start my layout development. I need to create an incline/ramp to gain 10 inches in height to get to my next track level. I ran across this on the internet:
http://www.datavisioninc.com/images/de_1.jpg It stands about 11 inches tall. Can someone please check out the image and let me know what this is and how it could possibly be used?

Thank you in advance,
--gary
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 2:35 PM
hey i am new to this web so mabe u could tell me how to do this and what this is for thank you[:)]
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Posted by DSchmitt on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 2:43 PM
Looks like it might be for a model roller-coaster

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 5:00 PM
My little brother (who is 40 now) had stuff like this for his hot wheels but this looks more like parts for a roller coaster.
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Posted by dave9999 on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 5:42 PM
Dont know, but it definitely isnt what you would use to get you trains up a level. You would need an
incline of about 2% at most IMO. Or you could build a helix if space is limited. Dave
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Posted by Jetrock on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 8:52 PM
yeah, it definitely looks like something hot-wheels or toy-car related. Using it for model railroading would be completely out of the question.

A bi-level layout needs a helix or a very, very long run.
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 9:26 PM
Years ago there was a (roughly) HO scale train that was more slot-car-i***han real-world model. The train had magnetic wheels and (I'm assuming) steel tracks and did loops, and could climb up walls.

This looks like something from that. It is most likely useless for true model purposes.

Rob
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Posted by dave9999 on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 9:36 PM
Gary, Where did you find the picture? Dave
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 8:26 AM
It is a piece from an auction on Ebay. They don't know much about it either. It was apparently part of an estate sale.
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Posted by n2mopac on Thursday, December 11, 2003 9:34 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

Dont know, but it definitely isnt what you would use to get you trains up a level. You would need an
incline of about 2% at most IMO. Or you could build a helix if space is limited. Dave


This is true, 2% at maximum. But at that grade you would need 41.5 feet of strait run to rise 10 inches. I think you should look into an helix unless you have an incredible amount of space for this long climb.
Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 10:43 AM
Folks, but 2% is too few also for HO scale. I saw the good inclination for the ramp could be 5%. That is in 1000mm you can reach 50mm. I think this coud be right.
Paolo
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 11:57 AM
Paolo - your math is correct, but 5% is steep enough to look like a steep hill, which the prototype roads didn't have - except for logging and mining roads, which were often narrow gauge. It will also cause a significant reduction in pulling power of your locos. If you are running 30-40 cars, don't count on getting them up all in one shot unless you have lots of helpers.

Having said that, if your 5% grade is hidden, and you are running short trains, and you need to gain altitude in a hurry, then go for it...

Andrew

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