|
|
Post by trenes115 on Mar 31, 2015 16:42:56 GMT -8
I'm playing around with some ideas for a future layout and am trying to determine maximum possible grade for an urban industrial siding. It would serve a single business off an elevated line. There would only be one or maybe two cars switched to the loading dock so was hoping to use a somewhat steeper grade. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by milgentrains on Mar 31, 2015 17:42:12 GMT -8
A long time ago I remember an article where someone had devised a switch machine rod that comes out of the roadbed on the down grade side of the spur. The cars rested against the rod preventing run aways.
|
|
|
|
Post by atsfan on Mar 31, 2015 18:55:44 GMT -8
Maximum possible how? For an engine to push up? Cars not to move on their own?
Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by trenes115 on Mar 31, 2015 20:24:01 GMT -8
The industry would be on level ground so I wouldn't have to worry about cars staying put. The grade would be where the siding ramps upward to meet the mainline. Something like an SW1500 would need to be able to make it up/down the grade with a car without stalling.
|
|
|
|
Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 31, 2015 21:37:58 GMT -8
Rather than listen to a variety of opinions, why don't you make up an adjustable test track and find out the answer.
Get your loco (say, that SW1500), the appropriate quantity of cars, and the test track and try it out. Just keep on increasing the grade until it won't work.
Easy, peasy, as I've heard it said.
Oh, yeah. Let us know the answer.
That said, I would think the answer would lie in the 4 to 7 % range. But if I were building a layout, I'd want a tighter answer.
Ed
|
|
|
|
Post by jim81147 on Mar 31, 2015 23:06:10 GMT -8
If its any help , I am building a walthers national fuel supply kit right now and it comes with a ramp to elevate the coal cars for unloading . That ramp rises 1 3/8 inches in a distance of 13 1/2 inches up to a level section where the coal cars "dump" their load out the bottom chutes
|
|
|
|
Post by alcoc430 on Apr 1, 2015 5:07:16 GMT -8
As for as a prototype goes the nyc high line. The elevated rail line goes through buildings etc. It was designed to mostly go down the center of the blocks. Today it's a park. It operated into conrail times like 1980 and was own by CSX before turning over to nyc. Anyway the ramp is still located wrapping around the outside of the LIRR Hudson yards near penn station all within a couple city blocks. It may still be visible from google. it's the last part to rehabilitated for the park but the air space over the Hudson yard is being developed so not sure if it will be partially hidden. From the street the grade looked steep an easy 5% grade if not more.
There are historical photos online showing it in use but not ramp area.
|
|
|
|
Post by mlehman on Apr 1, 2015 7:48:15 GMT -8
A steeper grade is not a problem (within reason of course, say 8% or less) for a single car. It's the vertical transitions that will kill you. Keep in mind they may end up as long as the grade itself is, so allow for that in planning. Diesels usually handle this better than steam, BTW.
|
|
|
|
Post by lajrmdlr on Apr 1, 2015 7:49:41 GMT -8
trens
In the USA sidings are two parallel tracks connected at both ends by switches. Your type of track in this country is called a "spur" & is connected only at one end by a switch. Would suggest you lay some track on a board, power it, tilt it up then run your loco + 1-2 cars. That should tell you what grade is possible for your layout. To figure that grade divide the "rise" by the length e.g. 1"/48" = 2%
|
|
