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 Posted - September 20 2011 : 12:55:25 AM
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I've been working interstate most of the year but I'm home for the next month at least so it's a good opportunity to begin construction of a permanent layout. I had settled on a 3.5% gradient for my inclines but some locos struggle with a heavy consist so I'm wondering what the average gradient is for most layouts?
For those with steep inclines, what methods have you found work best for those engines that need a little help? Thanks for any advice you can share.
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Posted - September 20 2011 : 03:31:32 AM
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TW:
Inclines are a perfect excuse for "helper" Units...
as for the grade well, tell people it's Saluda Grade in NC.
http://www.saludarealty.net/articles.php
I have a Video tape, yes Tape of Trains working the Saluda grade. It's pretty wild. Dteepest Rail Grade in the lower 48!
-Gareth
"A is A"
-Aristotle
Law of Identification
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Posted - September 20 2011 : 10:05:30 AM
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I've heard of steeper grades in Colorado at 7% 
I GE-ed Saluda Saw the depot & its in a odd place too It must of been moved there 
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Posted - September 20 2011 : 10:08:49 AM
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Bus,
Perhaps on a logging line but not a mainline.
"Heard" isn't quite the same as Verifiable data.
-Gareth
"A is A"
-Aristotle
Law of Identification
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Posted - September 20 2011 : 3:32:35 PM
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I Live In NC.
When I Was Younger, I Walked The Safety Track. When Didn`t Get To The end. When I Was Alot Younger, I Saw 2 Dash 9s Pull Hoppers Of Woodchips. I Railfaned Horseshoe Curve, And I Was In Heaven! There Was Helpers Galore, And 75% Were Conrail! That Was Years Ago, And The Conrails Are gone. Conrail Is The Road I Try To Model, other Than less stuff was made for them than NS or CSX.
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Posted - September 22 2011 : 06:55:42 AM
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Hahaha, that's a great solution guys - get more locos! My layout will basically be two towns either side of a mountain so expect steep climbs. Plus I'll need to clear catenary wire so the higher the quicker the better.
After testing various gradients using trestle sets before hammering nail to wood, I think it will be alright. I'll just have to remember an MDT switcher hauling MetalTrain boxcars should stick to the water level route!
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Posted - September 27 2011 : 6:54:16 PM
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Be sure to avoid making steep grades on a curve. Curves mak a steep grade even harder to climb. That said, how many cars are we talking and what kind of engine?
~CamdenLine
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Posted - October 02 2011 : 12:00:38 AM
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All kinds of engines and up to 4 passenger or 10 freight cars. I am planning a curved incline or two so I'll be extra careful about the grade, thanks Camdenline.
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