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Tunnel Clearances

S SalvagniOGR Forum Member
I am working on a 4x12' layout for my polar express o scale set. I am a newbie when it comes to model RR. the closest I've come to a layout is putting together the 40x60 layout that comes in the box. Anyways my layout that I am working on is I want my train to climb a "mountain" at some point the train will be climbing in a 4% incline grade and will be passing under the track above.  I have about a 5" clearance in height between the 2 tracks. Is that enough clearance for the train to pass underneath it?  Also I'm pulling 6 cars will the train stall on a 4% incline?  My smallest curve is O36.
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Madison KirkmanMadison KirkmanOGR Forum Member
I have that same set, and the engine is about 3½ inches tall, the track and engine is about 4 1/4 inches.  The only problem I can see, is that the CW-80 may brake, mine did, or if you buy the hobo car, then you will need more space.
 
Originally Posted by Salvagni:
I am working on a 4x12' layout for my polar express o scale set. I am a newbie when it comes to model RR. the closest I've come to a layout is putting together the 40x60 layout that comes in the box. Anyways my layout that I am working on is I want my train to climb a "mountain" at some point the train will be climbing in a 4% incline grade and will be passing under the track above.  I have about a 5" clearance in height between the 2 tracks. Is that enough clearance for the train to pass underneath it?  Also I'm pulling 6 cars will the train stall on a 4% incline?  My smallest curve is O36.

 

S SalvagniOGR Forum Member

Ok so its not 5" clearance its more like 4.5"  I cant get the 5" clearance without going with a 5% grade.  I would rather not go with a grade that high because I do not think that my engine can make it up it.  I believe I have an older model of the polar express because I have ran into a problem with it pulling all the additional cars.  the problem I had was that the train would run for a bit and then slow down to almost a crawl.  I was able to correct this, sort of, by turning off the smoke function on the engine and only pulling the 3 original cars that came with it.  I digress so my concern is that if I have to have a 5" clearance and the only way I can achieve this is by a 5% grade I am afraid that that will be too steep for my engine. My space is limited I can only have a 4'x12' layout.  Thoughts?

M MoonmanOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Salvagni:

Ok so its not 5" clearance its more like 4.5"  I cant get the 5" clearance without going with a 5% grade.  I would rather not go with a grade that high because I do not think that my engine can make it up it.  I believe I have an older model of the polar express because I have ran into a problem with it pulling all the additional cars.  the problem I had was that the train would run for a bit and then slow down to almost a crawl.  I was able to correct this, sort of, by turning off the smoke function on the engine and only pulling the 3 original cars that came with it.  I digress so my concern is that if I have to have a 5" clearance and the only way I can achieve this is by a 5% grade I am afraid that that will be too steep for my engine. My space is limited I can only have a 4'x12' layout.  Thoughts?


If you measure the height of the highest point with the train on the track, I agree with Madison, that the engine at ~ 4 1/4"-4 1/2" is the height. So, you should be ok.

 

You may just need to add additional power drops around the layout. The Berk, Jr and the lighted cars should not exceed the 5 amps a CW-80 can give you.

S SalvagniOGR Forum Member
Ok what exactly is that, I am new to Model R.R. so I am very green?  I was thinking that I would have to buy a new engine, which I would like to avoid doing if possible.
 
Originally Posted by Moonman:
Originally Posted by Salvagni:

Ok so its not 5" clearance its more like 4.5"  I cant get the 5" clearance without going with a 5% grade.  I would rather not go with a grade that high because I do not think that my engine can make it up it.  I believe I have an older model of the polar express because I have ran into a problem with it pulling all the additional cars.  the problem I had was that the train would run for a bit and then slow down to almost a crawl.  I was able to correct this, sort of, by turning off the smoke function on the engine and only pulling the 3 original cars that came with it.  I digress so my concern is that if I have to have a 5" clearance and the only way I can achieve this is by a 5% grade I am afraid that that will be too steep for my engine. My space is limited I can only have a 4'x12' layout.  Thoughts?


If you measure the height of the highest point with the train on the track, I agree with Madison, that the engine at ~ 4 1/4"-4 1/2" is the height. So, you should be ok.

 

You may just need to add additional power drops around the layout. The Berk, Jr and the lighted cars should not exceed the 5 amps a CW-80 can give you.

 

RussellRussellOGR Forum Member

Moonman gave you what to do, Here is Why:

Track has much more resistance and thus voltage loss than copper wire.

So run pairs of copper wires to the middle and top of the grade to allow more power to flow to the train and not get used by the length of track between the power connections you already have and the engine.

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