Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
One Response to Calculating Track Rise Based on Length
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Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
Basic thing to remember, is railroads don’t like gradients (prototype or model). Include gradients on your layout for realism and interest, but test the slope with the loco and the heaviest train it will pull.
Or if you want to get technical, weigh the cars, and check the locomotive’s traction with a small force gauge or by hanging small weights over the end of a track and see what it will lift. Then use the formulas in your school physics textbook for inclined planes. Adding weight to a locomotive will increase its traction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_geometry#Longitudinal_elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_(slope)#Railways
Also the calculator page mentioned above has some useful additional information.