Max grade straight versus curve

1444 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Dougald, Apr 28, 2008

Randy Stone

Discussion Starter · Apr 27, 2008

Hi Everyone

I'm looking at having an 8 foot diameter curve where the train will come into the curve, rise up elevation high enough to cross over itself. I can turn this circle into a rectangle to extend the % of elevation rise, but does it matter whether you're climbing 3% around a curve or on a straight? The area I plan to have my layout is 38 foot in length. I have two Aristo Craft FA1s that will be pulling 4-6 of the new Aristo Craft Streamline cars.

Save

1 - 3 of 3 Posts

· #2 · Apr 28, 2008

by trial and error i found out, that for curved slopes you have to discount at least 1% from the rise possible on straights.
the foto below shows a S-curved slope of five and a half % rise.
but my longest trains were five cars short (10 aixles) and the stainz locos had to have about a pound of additional leadweights.
two Aristo Craft FA1s that will be pulling 4-6 of the new Aristo Craft Streamline cars.

try it with 3% rise on a provisional layout.

See less See more

Save

Dougald

· #3 · Apr 28, 2008

On the prototype railroads, grades are often expressed as x% uncompensated which simply means that the grade is on a curve and has been expressed in terms of its real rise. Curves add considerable rolling resistance - the sharper the curve, the greater the resistance. In the real world there is a table of compensation to reflect this increase.

Our model world is a bit less precise but the same rules apply. Grades on curves need to be lessened. Kormsen has found a number for compensation that works for him and is likely broadly applicable on grades and curves of that nature.

Regards ... Doug

Save

1 - 3 of 3 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month