Two tier subway layout help

It sounds like you will have some research to do before you can do any building.  The first step would be to come up with a track plan.  There are some computer programs that can help.  I use Railmodeller Pro, because it works on my MAC.  After you have a track plan that you like, then we can talk about the next steps.  

There a lot of variables in the design that you want but there are also several manufacturers that make some of what you will need.

Check out Bridge boss. They make a lot of elevated track structures.

https://www.bridgeboss.com

Sean

   The grade to the top is your biggest challenge. You need to know what your engine choices are capable of climbing with a load. Some struggle with 2% some take 5% in stride (that's about the max).   

  Grades must be eased into, or bottoming out on the center rail may bite you (mostly just steam with cowcatchers though). The other reason is couplers can slip apart or bind as one hits the grade first, lifting the wheels if the transition is too quick.

  If you run windows, search for "SCARM" and try the free version (beware of google ads to "download", it's a google-trap! ( Hooray for Unilever)  You want to use the blue/grey type to download. (limit to free is 100pc). Lots of help with this program here too.

"Anyrail" is very simple and also has/had free trial versions with 100pc limit.

   Some photoshopping can get you past the limits for a final overhead shot if you can't swing the software costs right away.

Hi Yanks.

When I first built my ELevated line, I made the incline at 3 degrees since that seemed be the rule of thumb.  Since My EL support columns are 8 inch tall, it took upwards of 12 feet to go from the base of the layout  up the top of the columns. That is quite a long distance for most average size layouts. And then you have to back down at some point. Once I started running my Subway sets, it became apparent that 3 degrees was much more than needed. Id say 5 degrees would be plenty. I think the 3 degree rule would apply mostly to long and heavier trains. I'm in the initial phase of shrinking the size of my layout and will be using 5 degrees on the rebuild.

See below several examples of my graduated ELevated system.

thanks. jim r

Here's a link that should give you an idea of what you can accomplish.

http://www.wtv-zone.com/NYCity.../NYCityModelTransit/

You can do a google search on model train subway layout to get more ideas.

Jan