4% Woodland Scenics grade with N scale - O.K.?

[pbjwilson]

I'm putting together a small layout and bought the 4% grades(incline starters).
I don't think I have much of a choice as the layout is very small -27" X 64".

Has anyone used these in N gauge? Do your locos perform well on them?

I'm switching over from 3 rail O to N as a change of pace. Also have no room for a permenant layout in O. I did some modeling in N before but never worked with grades.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

[rrinker]

Depends on your loco and how long your trains are going to be. I tested a set out for my HO layout, I am planning on incorporating a flyover. I set up the line along one side of the layout and put three 3-foot sections of flex together and powered it with clip leads. From a standing start, any one of my P2K GP-7's could start a full load - as many cars as I could fit on the track. My P2K S1, and Stewart DS4-4-1000 switchers, 3 cars max. Of course, this is from a dead stop on the hill, no running start.
I changed my plan - at the flyover point, I am going to drop the benchwork 2". The climbing track will go up a 2% grade, and the other track, instead of being level, will drop down at a 2% grade. Perfect for the cheap guy I am - I can split the WS 2% incline sets in half. The upper half will take the track up - it starts at 2" and climbs to 4". The lower half, put in backwards, will take care of the dropping track - that section goes from flat to 2" elevation. Tricky, eh? Thus, I can get 4" of separation in 100" of travel but only have a 2% grade.

--Randy