You could get the 3-pct. risers and cut them into separate pieces with a hot-wire cutter and then spreading them out further. I did that to create a 1-pct. rise out of 2-pct. risers, cutting each piece (cutting at each "zig-zag" space) and then spreading the sections out.
I would probably do a "real world" test of the track plan first, and see if 2-pct might not give you enough elevation to work without needing to cut things up.
riogrande5761The above layout was 10x18'. If you are working with a 7x9.5, then what is a "longer" train? I'd guess on a layout that size, 15 cars would be on the long side.
Are you forgetting he's in N scale?
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What if you were to use some of those plastic risers found in cheap train sets and space them out evenly on your total rise. Then come along and 'fill in the voids/spaces' with cuts of stiff foam, ....and the sides with a more permanent scenic material.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
CTConrail Thanks guys. I really don't want to go to a 3% grade as I plan to run longer trains. I would have designed it at a 2% if I could have gotten away with it but I am working with a smaller space (7x9.5, 2 feet wide except for the ends which are almost 3 feet). None of my grades are a straight shot, both are utilizing my radius on each end of the layout so the foam would've been nice to easily shape to the curves but the plywood cookie cutter method is also doable.
Thanks guys. I really don't want to go to a 3% grade as I plan to run longer trains. I would have designed it at a 2% if I could have gotten away with it but I am working with a smaller space (7x9.5, 2 feet wide except for the ends which are almost 3 feet). None of my grades are a straight shot, both are utilizing my radius on each end of the layout so the foam would've been nice to easily shape to the curves but the plywood cookie cutter method is also doable.
For what it's worth, on my last layout I had 2.9% grades up and out of staging and two 6-axle SD45's could pull a 24 car coal train up no problems. I didn't try to see what the limit was but might have been able to handle a few more cars.
The above layout was 10x18'. If you are working with a 7x9.5, then what is a "longer" train? I'd guess on a layout that size, 15 cars would be on the long side.
Point I'm making is 3% is not probably going to limit you much unless you are running single engine trains with a relative lot of cars of that size layout.
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Hi CTConrail,
You could use the 2% incline with some stiff cardboard built up gradually from the start. Corrugated will work once you get into the areas where it needs to be thicker, but cereal box type cardboard would be better where the grade starts.
Don't forget that you have to have a smooth transition from level track to the sloped track. I'm not sure what the recommendations are for N scale but the change in slope needs to happen over several inches or you may have uncoupling or derailment issues as the train starts up the grade.
Note that the transitions shorten the actual length of the 2.5% grade. In order to fit everything into the same space the grade may actually have to be steeper than 2.5% between the transitions.
Another approach to getting a smooth grade with built in transitions is to use 1/2" or 3/4" plywood 'cookie cutter' style with risers every 12" - 16". Cut the plywood an inch or two wider than the roadbed and long enough that the plywood can be attached firmly to the level benchwork before the grade starts. When you lift the opposite end of the plywood up to form the grade the plywood will naturally form a transition between the level area and the grade. Same thing on the other end.
It will look like this. The roadbed shown is on a 2% grade. Since the picture was taken we made some changes that required the grade to go to 2.5%. Making the change was quick and easy. All we had to do was unscrew the 1"x4" risers and move then up a bit:
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
What I did,in HO. I knew the height I needed, knew how far I had to work with. Took a pieace of 1in foam 3-4in wide. Layed said foam in place. Put supports under where needed, made the top and bottem nice, done.
No idea what the %grade is, don't care. All my engines will pull at least 5 cars up it, good enuff
You may be able to use some sort of shim under each end of the 2% to bring it up to 2.5% or just use the 3% risers and avoid all that fiddling to get to 2.5%.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Looks to me like they have a sort of zig-zag foam thingy. You maybe could use a 3% version and stretch it out a bit. The puzzlement is whether there's enough stretchiness there to do it without breaking the foam.
Ed
Hey guys so I have found a little info on this but not much. Designing my N scale shelf layout and will be beginning construction soon. It will have some over and under action and I will be running double stack container cars so I designed my overs at 3" high. The way it's designed, from the beginning of the grade to where it levels out will make it right at about a 2.5% grade. What is the best option for me to get this grade as Woodland Scenics only has 2, 3 and 4% foam risers. Can I somehow modify a 2% and if so how? Otherwise any other ideas that won't be too complicated to make it work right? Thanks!