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Workable Grade For Lionel Engines
Mason posted:
“I have a work area of around 16 foot by 6 foot and plan for 2 levels with my trains operating on both. I am thinking of 6″ to 8″ between the two levels, so am wondering what grade and how many inches of track would look and work best. I don’t want to waste space, but still want it to look natural and not cramped. Plus any tips on figuring the riser heights as they step up the ladder would be a help. Thanks in advance.”
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I am assuming that you are referring to O scale when you say Lionel (they also make HO scale trains). A realistic grade should be 3% or less in any scale. For your size layout, you would need a run a little more than half way around, about 270 “, to rise 8 ” and for 6″ you would need a 200″ to get a 3% grade. For a more realistic grade of 1.5% you would need to double these distances. Don’t forget to include the thickness of your upper shelf in your calculations. I hope this helps.
An easier way to understand grades is that for every 50 inches of run around the table, the rise up is 1 inch. 1/50*100 is 2 – – – – 2%.
Another method – – –
take 2 rulers and stand one up where the grade will start. Exactly 50 inches away put the second ruler. Notice a spot on the first ruler, lets say 2 inches. Take a laser on a tripod and set the beam to this mark. Maneuver your laser beam until it crosses the second ruler at 3 inches ( i inch additional). this is a 2 % grade. Now crank your tripod and move the laser up or down so it aligns where the incline will go. Bingo! Set your vertical supports where ever you like and draw a line on it at the laser beam. Number the support and the position on the deck.
IMPORTANT – TEST A SECTION OF THIS INCLINE WITH YOUR LONGEST TRAIN BEFORE BUILDING THE WHOLE INCLINE