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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole Even real railroads are faced with this problem. What scale are you talking about? If HO, an 18" radius is the absolute minimum you can get by with, and you will be unable to operate any modern-day rolling stock or locomotives. A 2% grade is recommended as the absolute steepest in most scales, and you should try to keep it more gradual on a curve if possible. For the risers, the simplest is to use the Woodland Scenics styrofoam risers, which are available in different gradients. If you try to make your own risers, how far away you can space them depends on the material you are using for the sub-roadbed. Half inch thick plywood, for example, is not going to require as much support as 1/8" thick plywood, and the risers can be further apart. This is something you'll have to determine through experimentation by placing a riser and then pushing down on the sub-roadbed. If it easily gives, place the risers closer to each other. [/quote] Thanks, Cacole, I am in HO scale. I can go to 22" radius, maybe that would be better. I was thinking of using some old panelling for my curved roadbed, but it isn't real rigid. I may try it just to see since I have so much scrap but I can go to 1/8 plywood if necessary. On my straightaway elevated roadbed I would use 1/8 plywood. Being kinda dumb to the % grade thing, how would I determine a 2% grade. I know this has been talked about before but couldn't find it in a search relevant to my situation.
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