Model train help?

Question

I have a ho scale model train set with alot of track and i'm making a multiple story layout and i wanted to know for every 9inches of track how many centimeters should the track be elevated? At the moment i've got it every 9inches of track = 1cm higher. Is this height to much of a height for the train?

Answer 1

Bill Russell hits it right on... particularly your mixing of measurements, though I understand since many HO track segments come in 9 inch lengths !!

I've built NUMEROUS N and HO scale layouts... I NEVER used a grade over 3% in an area that is visible to the public.  It's just TOO much visually... a 4% grade looks too steep, besides being beyond industry norms.

I've built a few Helixes and off-sight-line grades of 4-5 %, but they can be too much for a single locomotive to haul a long consist !!

GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

In the real world, anything above 1.8% is considered heavy grade.

The "%" of a grade is the rise in elevation for 100 linear feet of track.

In HO scale (1:87) 1 inch equals 7.25 feet.

100 divided by 7.27 = 13.8 inches.  Rounded off, 14 inches.

So, a 1% grade would be 1 scale foot in 14 inches.

1 foot divided by 7.25 = .1379 inches, or slightly more than 1/8 inch, per 14 linear inches.

This grade is both pleasing to the eye and requires less power to operate in the scale model world.

But, the eassiest thing to do is go to www.walthers.com.  There are several manufacturers that produce either "piers" (open to the eye, such as an approach to a bridge) in graduated grades or blocking that goes under the roadbed to produce a grade for solid ground, unexposed once the roadbed is complete.

Answer 3

For real trains a grade of 5% is high.

You are mixing inches and cm which is not a good practice.

If you want to keep to a maximum grade of 5% for authenticity, that would be 1 in 20, 1 cm in 20 cm.

9 inches is about 23 cm, so 5% would be 1.1 cm in 9 inches.

Model trains have a much greater tolerance for grades, you should have no problems with 1cm/9" or about 5%.

You should also be able to handle 10% with no trouble, but it may not look authentic.