Bending rail

IMO you need to build a substrate first(at the proper height going up or down) then secure the track down. It will follow the angle without any pre bending.It is not a normal building method to suspend track directly in-between any type of structure.Hope that came out understandable.

 thanks rock stars, I plan to build the overpass, I just wasn't sure if I could bend the track without damaging it, how much it would bend, I guess hollow rail, would be better than solid etc.

I suspect we lack critical data here.

What Track are you using?

FastTrack, RealTrax or any other track with roadbed built in will not do what you want.

Tubular Lionel O, Ross, Gargraves, Scaletrax will all do it with varying degrees of difficulty based on how hard each rail is to bend.

Scaletrax would be incredibly easy due to the ease of flexing it. (Ya, Plug, I like it)

Thanks for the reply Russell. I am in the thinking process of building a new layout, and changing from fastrack to Ross switches, with either ross, gargraves, or atlas track, depending on a number of issues, cost being one of them. I plan to figure that out at the upcoming TCA meet in York, where I can get get a good look at each and maybe find out just what can be done with them. I might add that I am not at all familiar with Scaletrax so I should check that out also. Having grandchildren that live in Littleton, Co. I thought I would try to recreate what they see regularly.  Out there the Denver light rail system crosses the BNSF freight line with its long consists of coal hoppers. The overpasses used for this take up incredibly little space as compared to the long steady inclines used by full size trains. They appear, in some cases to make one continuous bend from llevel over the overpass with a return to level. I think I would like to try to make that full transition in the space of four or five feet instead of the approximate climb of about one half inch per foot foot of track As seen on a graduated trestle set. I realize that I have a number of issues to address before this comes to fruition, but I think none of it matters if I cannot cause the track to make the bend with out cracking or distorting too badly. 

Well theres a mouthful for you. I was thinking of using RMT powered passenger cars for this as they are all powered and only 13 inches long. If I can keep the rollers on the center rail witha continuous degree of bend they should have the power to make the short climb. I hope. Thanks, Chooch

Thanks for the input Ffffreddd, I think you are way advanced as compared to me. I will try to figure out your method, but first I think I should figure out the maximum amount of the curve that the train can handle and then make up a wooden structure on which to lay the track.  This may take a while. Chooch

Thanks Russell, You sure are a fan of Scaletrax, and I may make that the first experiment based on your input. I don't really know at this time if a compound bend will be necessary at all, what concerns me more is the climb over a short distance and therefore the degree of bend necessary, as well as a car that can handle it. I thought of the RMT because it has a very short wheelbase, and each car is powered. I don't know whether or not they have traction tires, but lashed up they can each pull or push as the case may be and I am hoping that will help with the increased grade. Additionally the short wheelbase should help with the steeper grade going both up and downhill. Although not much, each wheel truck has a slight degree  of verticle play and of course a center rail power pick up. On the trestle scenario the grade is abnout five percent, and that change in grade happens all at once and then not again until it straightens out again at the top of the climb, so what I was thinkiing was perhaps a grade that might be a little steeper and that could continue to increase at the end of the wheelbase distance. I know that I am going way outside of the box here. If I could do it in a shorter distance and with perhaps a few motorized cars it may act as a roller coaster whereby there is enough pushing until the lead car makes the crest whereupon it can start pulling. Perhaps I will have to make some sort of a slight grade that goes some of the distance up before having to increase the grade to give it the visual effect that I am looking for. In any case for right now this is merely food for thought.

 I think that light rail systems are probably among the fastest growing people moving systems in the country if not in the world, and maybe one day, one of the model train manufacturers will decide to jump into the game. Perhaps people like you and me will have to show them the way. Hey do you think they read these things. Thanks again, Rich