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Episode 51 - Lyng and District Model Railway - Experiments in Inclines.
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2023
- Following on from comments from my last video, and as I'm re laying a new layout, I began to experiment with the inclines for the first section of the new layout. If I didn't get this right, then it would have all been for nothing and a rethink would be needed. Molly the Cockerdor joins me, as does Tilly the cat, so watch out for them! Thank you to all of the new subscribers, and more importantly to those you have left a comment and advice. I read everyone and try to reply to everyone. Without the support this would be a harder hobby.
Hi Steve! It's amazing what a difference a few curves can make when tackling an incline isn't it? I know I was very surprised that even my smaller lighter locos could pull trains up a 4th radius curve of 3%, but failed on a 2nd radius curve of the same radius! S-curves add further complications to the mix, so I'd either try and eliminate them or make them as wide as possible! You've made some excellent progress here and now have a better understanding of what you need to build! Looking forward to the next step! Good luck! All the best, Ian.
Cheers Ian - yes I am intending to try and straightening out the S curve as much as possible by adding a short straight section. Hopefullt that will help.
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve - doing the right thing in testing the gradient before you commit to putting the track down permanently. If the gradient works for steam locos it will easily work for diesels. Look forward to watching this build. Cheers Euan
Cheers Euan - yes its all rather a hodge podge but when its right I can glue it all down and know it will work. Continuing on with the rest of the track until I get the full circuit down and then will re test until it all works.
Regards
Steve
Experiments when well first incline was a bit too much for those little locomotives but you sorted it in the end 👍 cheers Al
Thanks Al - it was worth all the hassle in the end!
Regards
Steve
Very wise to experiment Steve. As you discovered the effect of the drag on the loco is amplified by the forces working on the coaches as they traverse the curves (each one of them is trying to keep going in a straight line). My branch line is 2% as it begins the rise and curves around 180degrees and for a short 2ft section is goes to 4% Few of my tender steamers can get around the curve pulling anything beyond a coach or two (Although my Royal Scot skipped up there with eight coaches on once when I mistakenly set the express to the branch - it has two of the four wheel sets in the tender with traction tyres). Reducing the gradient is the only solution if you can't straighten the track (as you couldn't). That's a good result from all your testing. Look forward to seeing the layout starting to take shape. Stephen
Thanks Stephen - I am intending to straighten out the S curve slightly with a short straight section so hopefully that will work and if i keep the main tracks slightly raise it should help as well as suggested above. My over all aim is for the main tracks both up and down line to pull at least 4 coaches so its imperative I get this right.
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve, it’s good to experiment and those bends cause havoc for the steamers. It was the reason for me to take my layout down and start again as I wanted my steam engines to run with 8 coaches and they wouldn’t. The diesels managed it without a problem and could probably pull 10 to 12 coaches, I had a maximum of 3% in various parts of my gradients.
It’s worth persevering though as you may come up with a solution, it’s also a good plan, and don’t forget, if the wheels are slipping you’ll be putting strain on the motor.
I’ve tried the power base too, which helped a bit, I’d be happy to send you it if you want to try it as I won’t be using it on my layout.
Good luck with further testing, I’m rooting for you, cheers Steve, John
John - thank you soo much for the offer of the power base, I truly appreciate it. I think with some tweaks I can get the incline and the locos doing what I want, but like you I will be doing very little scenics until I know the track is working perfectly as I want it. I had considered the magnets before but I am going to try without it for now.
Regards
Steve
No worries Steve 👍
Hi Steve, Very interesting and wise to be simulating these gradients before the permanent work starts. I thought 6ft may be a bit steep as working in metric 6ft roughly 1800mm so 2% would be a rise of 36mm which would not be enough clearance, plus adding curves in the gradient plus steamers can be a bit of a double whammy which I too have experienced. Gradients are interesting in that whilst your baseboard is ground zero you can lay a lot of track (mainline perhaps) raised on a track bed of say 15-20mm above the board and have a small amount track like a TMD or branch line at board level. This then means you have two smaller gradients to get to the 50 mm clearance you need. It's more work but can also give you far more options for landscape as you can have things below the main track level if that makes sense. All the best very enjoyable to hear your thoughts.
That's a great idea and thanks for the advice. I can keep most of the main line tracks at a 15mm height and just drop it for the station or even have the station slightly higher, I will have to have a think. The bend leading up to the start of the incline can be definitely raised as it will be hidden in a tunnel so thanks for the idea!
Regards
Steve
Brilliant update Steve I had and old layout years ago similar idea but in Kato wa sent to bad
Can’t wait to see it progress
ATB Sion
Cheers Sion. LOts of work in front of me but that helps to keep me occupied over the winter!
Regards
Steve
Hi, 2% incline is just perfect, I dont have any issues. You may remember I did a video for N gauge Hunts Couplings when they were first released and took a 14 coach dapol HST up and down no problem.
However steamers are a different kettle of fish due to their lack of weight. DCC Concepts do a magnet based system called powerbase. Not sure if its available in N gauge though. Might be worth a call. I am wondering if track was slightly steeper when it slipped? You are of course starting the train on the incline, maybe easier from the base level track as it has a run up. (As you found) Also straighter track is easier for the train to climb, Id be inclined to straighten the large s bend slightly if you can.
Good to see more N gaugers, happy to help if you need it, just say.
Kind regards, John
Cheers John - I had considered the power base magnet system after seeing your video, but before I go through all that I am going to try some other teaks such as raising the track up slightly higher where I can before the drive up, and straightening out that S curve as much as possible. The whole point of the incline was to enable the third and fourth tracks to go under so I can drop the height of this by about 10mm which should also help.
Regards
Steve
Hia Steve if you gettin rid of any building give me a shout
Will do!
what scale are you using looks like n scale looks like good trackplan
Hi and thank you for the comment. Yes it is N gauge, as the shed is not big enough fir me to run 00 gauge.
Regards
Steve