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Model Railroading > HO scale grade calculationsDate: 03/08/02 15:18 HO scale grade calculations Author: milwaukee2957 Hi,
I have a question about how many inches the track rises every 4 feet (or what is ever easiest to calculate) for the following grades: 1% 2% 2.2% 3% Date: 03/08/02 15:28 RE: HO scale grade calculations Author: traincrazy > 1%
At 1%, the track will rise .48 inches in 48 inches...go for a 1.04% to give you a .5" rise (easier to measure and build). > 2% Rise of .96 inches, go for 2.08%, 1" rise. > 2.2% Rise of 1.06 inches...go for either 2.08% and 1" as above, or 2.34% and 1 1/8 rise (1.125"). > 3% Rise of 1.44 inches...go for 3.13%, 1.5" rise. Hope that helps a bit. Date: 03/08/02 15:32 RE: HO scale grade calculations Author: milwaukee2957 yes, thank you.
Date: 03/08/02 16:45 RE: HO scale grade calculations Author: slimjim Just a note. Grade is not scale related. It is a real life one. a 1% is HO is the same as the big boys run. Just remember, 1' in a 100' = 1%.
Date: 03/08/02 17:08 RE: HO scale grade calculations Author: DKay I purchased a small plastic piece that fits on a builders spirit level that you set to the desired percentage of grade.It was in the Walthers catalog,but cant find it in the 2002 book.
Called a "grade Gauge".,by New Concept hobby Products Co,7925 Eagle Ridge Rd,Hamel ,MN,55340.USA. Regards,Daryl Kay. Date: 03/08/02 17:41 RE: HO scale grade calculations Author: ctxm An easy approximation is...1% is 1/8 inch per foot,2%is 1/4 inch per foot,3% is 3/8 inch per foot...etc. so if you take a 24 inch long carpenters level and tape a small 1/4 inch plywood spacer to the bottom at one end you will have 1% grade when it reads level on your roadbed,or use a 1/2 inch spacer if you want a 2% grade,etc.The grades don't have to be exact but they do need to be smooth without sharp changes in grade that can cause accidental uncoupling or cause the loco pilots to drag on the rails.....dave Date: 03/08/02 20:38 RE: HO scale grade calculations Author: davidenos58 I need to know the calculations for N scale. Can Ya'll help.
Date: 03/08/02 20:53 Grade calculations Author: slimjim Grade is not scale related. It is a real life one. a 1% is HO is the same as the big boys run. Just remember, 1' in a 100' = 1%.
Date: 03/09/02 07:22 too easy Author: Doc Here's an easy way to figure grades:
Per cent (%) means per hundred, so a rise of 1' in 100' is 1%, and 2' in 100' would be 2%, as in the real railroads. This works in any measurement, like 2" in 100" is 2%. You can cut that in half; 1" in 50" is 2%, 1/2" in 25" is also 2%. A 1/4" rise in 12.5" is 2% as well. Working in millimeters (mm) is great because you can measure in smaller lengths: a 2mm rise in 100 mm = 2%, or a 1mm rise in 50mm = 2% Grades are the same in any scale, an N scale grade of 2% is exactly the same as a 2% grade on your favorite railway. Hmm, maybe not so easy after all? Doc Date: 03/09/02 08:47 The easy way Author: mediumclear Forget scale. It doesn't matter. The really easy way is exactly as ctxm posted above. Get yourself a two foot long level and attach a block to one end. Use a .25" block for 1%, .5" block for 2%, and .75" block for 3%. Now, when the level shows "level", the track board is rising at the rate you chose with the block.
And, yes, be sure the transition vertical curves between different grades are nice and gradual. Date: 03/11/02 04:58 RE: The easy way Author: BentnoseWillie ...and don't forget to test your grade if it's anything above 2% or so, just to make sure your power will handle it.
Liking my grades to be like my beer (5.5%), I remain: B-Dubya |