so far, my layout has been flat, 2D. But I have come up with the Idea to run some track from the other side of the room where my yard will be but i run into a problem, the train table and the self where the yard is are at two different heights. what is a good ratio for an HO locomotive with a load of cars behind it?
climbing, inclines
- Thread starter jeremy2017
- Start date
2017,
When I saw Shamus runs his locos up steep grades, I asked how well it worked and got the obviouse answer: try it
What they really said was to get what I want to run on my test track and tip up one end to simulate the incline.
A lot of people, NMRA inclusive, will tell you that you can't [reliably] go over 2 or 3 %. You can round off 2% to an inch every eight feet. I guess if you can't "try it" you should go for the 2%, but that sure seems to me like the slow way to get somewhere
I found you can greatly increase the grade by adding more engines, adding more weight, or using momentum to you advantage. I also found it takes a heck of a lot longer to stop a train when it's coming down a 10% grade!
#63
When I saw Shamus runs his locos up steep grades, I asked how well it worked and got the obviouse answer: try it
What they really said was to get what I want to run on my test track and tip up one end to simulate the incline.
A lot of people, NMRA inclusive, will tell you that you can't [reliably] go over 2 or 3 %. You can round off 2% to an inch every eight feet. I guess if you can't "try it" you should go for the 2%, but that sure seems to me like the slow way to get somewhere
I found you can greatly increase the grade by adding more engines, adding more weight, or using momentum to you advantage. I also found it takes a heck of a lot longer to stop a train when it's coming down a 10% grade!
#63
I have a few 3% grades for my mainline, but on my logging line, I am planning a number of 4-7% grades. Alot depends on what you plan to run, if you have 10 car trains 4% is really not a problem for one loco, on the other hand if you are running 30 car trains then you may have a problem.
Hey Phil, it depends on what loco, too, I had 14 cars on my hustler last night on the level and it barely could get enough traction to go; couldn't get started on a curve
When I figure out where to put some weight in the little rascal, I'm sure she can pull far more than 14 I'm planning to get into logging too
This is where DCC really shines!!!, You can doublehead the front end, and add a helper, pushing from behind. Once the train is up, the helper can be cut off and returned to the bottom of the hill.
Pete
Pete