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Transition from 0% to 3% grade

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cfra7

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I need to transition from a 0% grade to a 3% grade. Is there really any problem with just putting down a 5 foot straight track and having the transition right in the middle? I'm running 1:20 scale. I know that I can go from 0% to 1% and then 1% to 2% and so on. That would insure that no car has more than a 1% grade difference between the front and rear trucks, but is all that extra effort really necessary? Will my cars come off the track because the front wheels are on a 3% grade and the rear wheels are on a 0% grade. Plase note this is not a main line. It's just a spur line to the rail yard.

Thanks

Ed
 
#2 ·
With long wheelbase locos, you need a transition into and out of the grade. Watch the drivers come up off the rail if you have a sudden transition. Do it on a straight, and the wheels will probably come back down on the rail ok, do it on a curve and your loco will normally derail. Why not mock it up and crawl the loco up the grade and watch wheels lose contact with the rail head.

Greg
 
#3 ·
If the transition is small, the front of a loco might bottom out and hit the rail. Meaning the bottom of the pilot will hit the rail. This is magnified if the loco has a pilot plow.

But I'm thinking 5 feet should be enough. Although I've never gone to the extreme of 0% to 3% in a section under 6 feet. My most extreme is around 0% - 1.5 %. I've done it in HO scale though with no problems ;)
 
#4 ·
pilot rub on the track, along with a rub noise, the slowing down of the engine as it crosses that very spot...... not to mention it will not look right, and your eyes will be pulled to that very spot EVERYTIME you run trains...I know.

Take the time and do it right, you will be happier in the end..if ya can't, wont fit, then it is what it is.

IMHO

Bubba
 
#5 ·
Use short pieces of sectional track that are a little longer than the wheel base of your longest engine. The more gradual the transition the better.



If your engine has a metal (brass) pilot you will have a short if the transition is too sharp and the pilot touches the track. I have had this problem with minor dips in my track bed with an Accucraft k-27 and with a rotary snow plow with metal housing around the fan. This is not a problem if you run battery or live steam.

If the transition is too sharp you may also have problems with couplers staying hooked.


Chuck
 
#6 ·
This really comes down to how well you want your trains to run.

I would suggest that hitting your pilot is pretty extreme, and you would be suffering loss of traction earlier than that. Body mounted couplers on long cars will come apart. Do this on a grade and even more problems.

So, if it's just a siding, you run short trains, then you can probably get by with sharper transitions, although your trackwork will look toylike.

If you are running steam locos, you will see the level of the boiler shift suddenly, another appearance issue.

I have a 3.4% grade and a 5.5% grade on my layout (no choice) and had to really work the transitions. It was worth it, trains run well, and look good on these extreme grades. Before, I would have a 40-50 car train uncouple near the top of the grade and roll down backwards at breakneck speed, not fun, but again, my grades on on the doggone main line.

Greg
 
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Greg Elmassian
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