What gradient can i lay track too

Tony-

Here was my solution to sloping property when I lived in the mountains. Since I run live steam, I needed it to be as level as possible. Overall dimensions were about 18' x 30", with a minimum radius of 6 feet. The wall is about 3 feet tall, which was very convenient when fiddling with the trains.

ZEzvxcg.jpg


ao3vMqO.jpg
 
My maximum gradient is 1 in 28 (about 3.5%). I made a simple gauge from a 4 inch wide board with a piece of PVC pipe screwed to one end that represents this gradient. The gauge used with a level makes sure the gradient isn't exceeded. My minimum curvature is LGB R3 on any gradient except a very short custom bent section where it is somewhere between LGB R2 and R3. My track is mostly LGB brass with some Aristocraft stainless steel.

An unmodified LGB crocodile can pull four 4 axel 3067 type coaches anywhere on the line in dry conditions. In the damp, morning dew for example, the limit is about three 4 axel coaches on the stainless steel sections. My LGB locos have less traction on stainless steel. But, stainless steel does have a great advantage for track power. I've found it requires hardly any cleaning to maintain good conductivity. Adding 2 lbs. of additional weight to the crocodile allows it to pull five 4 axel wagons under all conditions except when frost is on the rails. I did make certain that the croc could still slip its wheels and not stall the motors with the additional weight.

My only caveat being keep things a level as possible if you ever intend to run live steam.

You can see pics of my line in the "Phil S' RR" thread of the "Large Scale Pictures" forum here.
 
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RogerK said:
Tony-

Here was my solution to sloping property when I lived in the mountains. Since I run live steam, I needed it to be as level as possible. Overall dimensions were about 18' x 30", with a minimum radius of 6 feet. The wall is about 3 feet tall, which was very convenient when fiddling with the trains.

ZEzvxcg.jpg


ao3vMqO.jpg
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Nice to have some real scenery to backdrop your Railway, sadly my Wood Garden Fence is no match for your superb view in the Mountains.
 
dunnyrail said:
Nice to have some real scenery to backdrop your Railway, sadly my Wood Garden Fence is no match for your superb view in the Mountains.
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Left the mountains of Northern New Mexico and moved to West Texas in 2017. The backdrop now is our wooden fence. lol
 
I'm currently building an Nm scale layout with Kato RhB track and rolling stock.

The chaps on the N scale forum reckon no more than 3% for Kato and maybe 2% for other makes.

The real RhB gradients are no more than 7%....
 
Gizzy said:
I'm currently building an Nm scale layout with Kato RhB track and rolling stock.

The chaps on the N scale forum reckon no more than 3% for Kato and maybe 2% for other makes.

The real RhB gradients are no more than 7%....
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Yep from my notes:

“The maximum gradient is 7% on the Bernina railway,[2] 6% on the Chur–Arosa line and 4.5% on Landquart–Davos line.”

Prototypical curves for RhB are actually pretty sharp! The sharpest is about 45m radius +/-, or in Gauge IIm that’s 2m = 6.5 feet
(Albula coaches rated for 50m radius)
 
Mmm - the Centovalli line is 6% all track adhesion, no rack :nod::nod: good 2 hr trip >:)
 
It all depends on what length of train you want to pull. Along with some others here I have found that a maximum grade 1 in 50 (or 2% if you prefer) is best. Yes you can have steeper but trains will have to become increasingly shorter as the grade increases. You can always resort to double heading or banking. We had a great afternoon at a friend's garden using battery powered locos to bank track powered locos up the big hill. For some reason this was more fun than having another dcc loco banking. Banking is fun and I would recommend everyone giving it a go but I recommend having one person controlling the banking engine and one the train engine. Long trains going down a steep hill can also cause a problem by the sheer weight of the train pushing leading wagons off the track.

I tape a little wooden block to one end of my spirit level. The wooden block is cut to the right size for the spirit level to show level when it is on a 1 in 50 slope. This helps with getting a fairly consistent gradient.

Agreed that cuttings are of a pain because they collect so much garden rubbish and need to be cleared out all the time.
 
chris m01 said:
Agreed that cuttings are of a pain because they collect so much garden rubbish and need to be cleared out all the time.
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249296

Bur seriously, this is why you also need oversize ballast - 9mm and upwards wont' get sucked up one of these :shake::shake:
 
Rhinochugger said:
View attachment 249296

Bur seriously, this is why you also need oversize ballast - 9mm and upwards wont' get sucked up one of these :shake::shake:
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There is a way of using a garden vac and to not suck up your aggregate....
First way, if it is 2mm or smaller grit, is to glue it down with exterior PVA glue
OR.....
If your ballast is 3mm or bigger..
trim the end corners of the vac turbine wheel.
I have done this to my vac (as I have a lot of decorative aggregate not just on the layout but also on paths, beds etc) and it really does prevent it from sucking the aggregate up ... well to be truthful a very little does get sucked but not loads.)
It still sucks up leaves, twigs and other detritus


glued ballast:
249297

249299
 
beavercreek said:
There is a way of using a garden vac and to not suck up your aggregate....
First way, if it is 2mm or smaller grit, is to glue it down with exterior PVA glue
OR.....
If your ballast is 3mm or bigger..
trim the end corners of the vac turbine wheel.
I have done this to my vac (as I have a lot of decorative aggregate not just on the layout but also on paths, beds etc) and it really does prevent it from sucking the aggregate up ... well to be truthful a very little does get sucked but not loads.)
It still sucks up leaves, twigs and other detritus


glued ballast:
View attachment 249297

View attachment 249299
Click to expand...
Yeah, I may have to do that in the 'shanty town' area :think: , but then, I don't hoover that bit :shake::think: although the bids make a fair old mess of it sometimes, throwing it around all over the place o_O
 
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