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Grade Question

HarleylitoHarleylitoOGR Forum Member

I am using a homosote covering over plywood on my layout.  Track will rest on cork roadbed.  I am planning to build a grade (3.5%) to a rise of 7 inches.  My questions are the following:

1.  What is the best way to make the transition from the level surface of the layout to the beginning of the incline?  

2.  Is it practicle/necessary to use homosote on the plywood incline since it is on the entire level surface of the layout and the track will be on cork roadbed?

Pictures would sure help on #1.

 

Regards & Thanx,

Paul  

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D 1drummerOGR Forum Member

Gradual grade translations are essential to stable train operation.  Take your steam loco with the most axles for testing ..a 2-8-4 will spin wheels if the grade transitions to abruptly..where as a 2-8-0 will not..use 6 axle rolling stock and engines with most axles to test.  Also don't start a grade at a curve. Best to enter or exit on straight track..cube in the rise is tolerable but w as tech for angular distortion on the plane if using flex track

 

Fir the other issue. Personal choice is the rule to follow.  Money savings, appearance, those pesky transitions are some factors.

What I like about Model Rail Roading is, in that world I AM GOD..I do what I want in all matters..

I would keep road bed the same unless there is no reason for a"bed" like in the middle of a trestle....

LW Lee WillisOGR Forum Member

This is a much bigger issues if you run scale wheels.  I run hi-rail and so its not that big a headache.  

 

If you have and articulated locos use them as the test loco when making the transition, and don't just measure, test them before finalizing the track (screwing/gluing it down).  I make all mine grade changes with a rule of no more than 1% change in grade per foot - I try to keep the change in grade much less.  

HarleylitoHarleylitoOGR Forum Member
wsdimenna - I like the concepts of using pink foam as the support and luan as a roadbed.  I'm sure you've had success with this but I do have some questions:
 
1.  How did you attach the luan to the foam?
2.  Is the foam strong enough to support the train?
3.  Can you please be a bit clearer on "attach 1st third to flat surface".
Thanx for the help!
Regards
Paul 
 
Originally Posted by wsdimenna:

The procedure I use is to attach track to luan (same height as roadbed), and attach 1st third to flat surface. Use foam pieces to make transition.

wsdimennawsdimennaOGR Forum Member
1.  How did you attach the luan to the foam?
After the track is set, I use the great stuff to fill in spaces, The great stuff acts as binder to foam and luan.
2.  Is the foam strong enough to support the train?
 
Absolutely. I have made trestles that were temporary (used for three yrs) of foam with a luan base. The foam/ luan is extremely strong.  A layout builder I know often uses a luan sandwich of foam which he stands on with no issues using the open grid system (16 inch centers).
 
3.  Can you please be a bit clearer on "attach 1st third to flat surface".
 
When starting the grade I take a piece of 40" (in this case Atlas track) and screw about a third of the track to the flat base through the luan.  The easement is started after this section.
 
Found method to be very easy, since you can adjust transitions until its perfect without much effort. Its also good for me, i found making wood blocks time consuming and often they were off a hair. The combination of foam and great stuff makes it a breeze. This hump was done in one evening. Don't use the great stuff until you have run trains with your engines and, long passenger cars etc.  for awhile
 
BTW, I did cheat and bend the atlas track at top of hump, something you will not need to do for a normal grade.
 
 

Hope this is helpful.

 

 

Last edited by wsdimenna
D 1drummerOGR Forum Member

I like the hump..I wonder the reason for it ..Railroad investors to cheap to fund leveling?  or is there a big piece of bedrock they could not find a route around?  or while digging for road bed they found archeological artifacts and did not want to disturb them? 

or is it the worlds biggest "biggest hump in a hump yard?"

 

What ever the reason I like it..how well does a steam loco like a Berk run on it or do you just run Diesel?

 

Wait I figured it out..it  is so the engineer can see where to park his train...when the yard master is on break....great plan...I really like this hump..did you build it on Hump day? 

no seriously I do like it...take a video..I want to see action...

thanks

M MoonmanOGR Forum Member
Off topic, but go here, Meet Uncle Pete video, and watch from 28:58 to see a sixties "Hump yard" in action. (Thanks to Ted Hikel for the find)
 
Originally Posted by 1drummer:

I like the hump..I wonder the reason for it ..Railroad investors to cheap to fund leveling?  or is there a big piece of bedrock they could not find a route around?  or while digging for road bed they found archeological artifacts and did not want to disturb them? 

or is it the worlds biggest "biggest hump in a hump yard?"

 

What ever the reason I like it..how well does a steam loco like a Berk run on it or do you just run Diesel?

 

Wait I figured it out..it  is so the engineer can see where to park his train...when the yard master is on break....great plan...I really like this hump..did you build it on Hump day? 

no seriously I do like it...take a video..I want to see action...

thanks

 

Trainman2001Trainman2001OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I didn't create a transition slope, but I'm not even rising 2% so it didn't matter. What I DID DO was make sure that the start of the grade and end didn't fall on a sub-roadbed joint (OSB). I use L-girder with risers and cleats. These didn't fall directly under a transition point either so there wasn't a sharp break at these places. I used a string line to set the slope and set all risers to touch the line. I had one place with a slight dip in the middle of the curve so I shimmed up the foam roadbed with some illustration board so the track laid flat.

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