My current musings on an outdoor line involve a fairly steep gradient (1 in 38 or 39, somewhere between 2.5 and 3 per cent and absolutely prototypical for the line I’m loosely – very loosely 
– copying).
Question is, how does one arrange transitions at the top and bottom of the slope, given that large scale track is somewhat less bendy than small-scale flextrack. And how does one set up ladder roadbed for the same situation?
Chris Vernell said:Chris, my young and inquizative friend. Just come over one day and I'll show you, which is much better than trying to explain.
My current musings on an outdoor line involve a fairly steep gradient (1 in 38 or 39, somewhere between 2.5 and 3 per cent and absolutely prototypical for the line I'm loosely -- very loosely :P -- copying). Question is, how does one arrange transitions at the top and bottom of the slope, given that large scale track is somewhat less bendy than small-scale flextrack. And how does one set up ladder roadbed for the same situation?
You do live within commuting distance, and that "Commute" would only take about 20 minutes of your time. Besides we have holy water available to relax your nerves !!!!Fred Mills said:Alas, dear Friar, the only water I am allowed is H-two-O. But then again, if I don't take my medicaments ...
Besides we have holy water available to relax your nerves !!!!
For the benefit of forum readers who can’t get to Ottawa for holy water tasting and enlightenment, lets have the discussion here too. On the first attempt of my steepest grade I had a rather nasty vertical curve at the top where I transitioned from 4% + to level. I’m using stainless rail and had no problem getting the rail to flex back down to earth, but I needed to hold it there with a long spike driven into the earth. It didn’t take long to realize that radical changes in grade were not very good to run trains over. It sucks to uncouple at the top of a steep grade…
(http://www.cvsry.com/images/Bridge6-640.jpg)
(http://www.cvsry.com/images/Derail1-640.jpg)
Not long after that picture was taken I made major changes in the grade to spread it out over a much longer section of track. The transition points are hardly noticeable now. Old grade is the top string, new grade the bottom…
(http://www.cvsry.com/images/GradeWork3-640.jpg)
(http://www.cvsry.com/images/GradeWork4-640.jpg)
Completed grade…
(http://www.cvsry.com/images/Indian4-640.jpg)
If you use long sections of track (I use 5 Ft) and keep your transitions gradual, both the track and the ladder roadbed will flex enough to accommodate. Quick transitions and short sections don’t mix, you will end up with angles at the joiners.
Chris,
On elevated track it is as simple as 1-2-3; use a 2by on edge and shape to get what’s needed. Concave or convex, works. For the ladder method use a piece of plywood with that same contour as a template, if the strip is too stiff notch it 2/3 through where needed, with a thin sawblade!
Note: Please keep in mind this is advice from the guy who is aka
BD said:
some know-it-all
, your mileage may vary.
Nice pics, Jon. You’ve been busy.
Chris, Here’s a section of ladder roadbed on a 2% grade. Risers are gradually increased in length and then the outside laths are screwed on. This is on raised benchwork but the same technique could be used for posts in the ground. Just be sure there’s a gradual transition from flat to grade. If the side laths are screwed to the posts you can set a length of track on top and run an engine up to be sure nothing hits. If the transition is too steep just unscrew the laths, cut down the posts and reattach the laths.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/RichardSmith/RRConstruction/068RoadbedRisersAndBlocks-Web.JPG)
Ric Golding said:Thanks. That was at least 2 or 3 springs ago. No progress this year except the stone border. Too many summer toys to make ready.
Nice pics, Jon. You've been busy.
Christopher;
Did you get the ideas you needed ?
I never heard back from you.
Fred Mills said:I is cogitating, Fred ... whenever I have a spare moment (spare moment? Wot's dat?). In the rare intervals between rainshowers/torrential downpours at times I'm not (a) at work (b) child-minding (c) running errands for SW (d) asleep, I am trying to get a shed built. {Actually, (d) is a fairly permanent condition; call me Zombie.} Progress is slow. So far I have the footing trenches dug and filled with gravel, and the deck blocks positioned and graded. If it stops raining on a weekend long enough for me to get the power tools outdoors, I shall start cutting the lumber that now reposes under tarps in the driveway Once the shed is built, I shall (perhaps) have time to plot out a line into it for storage of trains (and the covered workspace to assemble the underpinnings for such a line). I'm still aiming to attend some part of the Invasion, where I shall study the civil engineering works of the IPP&W and its companion lines.
Christopher; Did you get the ideas you needed ? I never heard back from you.