Makin' da grade

[StorkNest]

I'm working on a route where I have a branchline running off a main and want to give the branch a grade upwards. Nothing serious like 2.5% or more. I have read some of my model railroad books but the only serious mentions of grades always involve two tracks crossing. What little is left is short and shows graphs that no matter how often I read them, all my mind can process is, "Ooohhh, sunrays." :n:

So since I want to make a grade, is there anything I should know?
Should it be the same percentage throughout or mix it up?
Any serious effects on consists I should know of?
Or should I just not care and do whatever I want?
I figure I should make any industries have level track to avoid rolling cars.

 

[Dap]

Level Industry Tracks

Actually, industry tracks do not have to be level. I have some non-level industry tracks on my layout which is made from the original railroads track curve & grade diagrams. The steepest siding is 1.00. Just make sure the train crew sets the hand brakes on any cars that are set out. (See Driver manual for instructions).

So, don't worry and just do what you want.

 

[Ferrous]

If you've read the "Surveyor Advanced" section of the users manual, then you already know as much as I do. :hehe:

 

[mjolnir]

So since I want to make a grade, is there anything I should know?
Should it be the same percentage throughout or mix it up?

In the real world, grades are "mixed up", in all manner of ways. A steady, constant grade is quite rare.

Any serious effects on consists I should know of? Or should I just not care and do whatever I want?

Generally speaking, a given locomotive (or set of locomotives) will handle fewer cars on a grade than on level track. But to a certain extent, the route you are creating is your world, and you can organize it the way you want.

I figure I should make any industries have level track to avoid rolling cars.

In the real world, many industries would probably have basically level track. But there are exceptions. Industries like grain elevators, and mines, where a number of cars are loaded from a single point, are often times built with a grade so that empties can be spotted "uphill", rolled under the loader, and when filled, rolled down to the holding track.

ns

 

[switchdoc]

If you've read the "Surveyor Advanced" section of the users manual, then you already know as much as I do. :hehe:

That's a nice way to point to the old RTFM* - approach.

Norbert

* RTFM = Read The F...ing Manual