4% grade

[csxnscale]

Would an Atlas GP40-2 or an Atlas B23-7 be able to pull six cars up to a 4% grade on a 18" radius curve ?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Matthyro]

Hard to say without testing but a 4% is steep in any language when prototypes try to stay under 2%. On my previous layout I had a 2% grade with 18 inch radius and it took two Atlas GP 40 locos to pull twenty cars up the slope. I did have a couple of instances where cars got pulled off the track near the front of the train because of the weight of the following cars.

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Most of the grades on my layout are 4% (in real life here the ruling grade is 5.1%). I have a Atlas B23-7 with a Model Power C-420 shell on it. It will pull about 10-15 cars up it from a rolling start, from a standing start about 4 to 7. All my cars are weighted although my open hoppers are not as heavy as it's hard to find places in em' to put the weight , which is why the amount of cars can vary.

 

[Ralph]

I'm no physicist but I imagine a 4% straight track wouldn't be bad but the curve throws...well, a curve into it! I'd expect occasional derailments. Are you hoping to raise the track high enough to pass over another with that grade?
Ralph

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Forgot to add my widest radius is 12".

 

[csxnscale]

Thank you all for reply.
According to Tyson it should be O.K.
And yes Ralph I hope to raise the track enough to pass over another one.
I plan to build the "Granite, Gorge and Northern" from John Armstrong in a 3'10"" by 7' 6" in N-scale.

Paul