Can someone inform me of the average grade recommended when using the 18-Piece Graduated Pier Set? Also, what are the heights of each part?
When dealing with HO scale it is best to keep your grades below 3% in most cases unless modeling something like a or narrow gauge railroad.
<insert aspirin>
now I have a headache, thanks :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Dear All,
It must be about a 3" rise using 9 of the 18 piers. If you use a pier every 9" track section, that comes close to 81" run.
3"/81" = 0.037 or about 3.7%.
Assuming the piers are eased into and out of the vertical curve with a half-step top and bottom,
3"/(1/2 step +7 full steps + 1/2 step) = 3"/8 per full step.
3/8" full step in 9 inches run = 4.2 % rise.
If that's not challenge enough for your loco, add curves to the grade, as in an up-and-over Figure-8.
Hope this helps...
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
I think that helps a lot. I'm trying to determine how much area I should plan for a bridge. This seems to answer that or at least point to one.