This being the point.
Scale weght
- Thread starter trailrider
- Start date
This being the point.
The missing part that you don't see the gravity exerted on 1:1 mass vs 1:87 scale. It applies 658,503 times stronger force on 1:1 vs 1:87. If I got the numbers right. I know the equation is backwards for getting the real thousandth of a percent number for 1:87.
It does explain why I can run a HO train over code 55 track with a 6" gap in the roadbed without issues, while a 1:1 train will turn the rails over a 40' gap in the roadbed into spaghetti.
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It does explain why I can run a HO train over code 55 track with a 6" gap in the roadbed without issues, while a 1:1 train will turn the rails over a 40' gap in the roadbed into spaghetti.
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trailrider
Well-Known Member
Probably. The strength of the Code 55 rail is way out of proportion compared with 1:1. Not only that, but you have the plastic ties backing up the nickel silver track. Another interesting thing that comes up in model locomotive product reviews is the number of cars it can pull up a 3 percent (or whatever) grade. Is that based on the weight of the scale cars (including friction of the metal axles on, say plastic journals)? I would suppose that would also be based on the NMRA standard for each boxcar. Ain't this fun? 
new guy
Active Member
I'm glad we don't have to deal with the same weight, there is no way we could have 6% grades on our layouts, I noticed that when the U.S. transcontinental was being planned they originally wanted max grade to be no more than 7%!!! I don't know what the max grade of the final construction was. They were dealing with the Rocky Mountains so they really did not have much choice. One of my 'tunnels' will be a Sierra 'snow shed' type tunnel, they are WAY cool!
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
I don't know about the UP / CP line, but the NP transcontinental originally had a 5.6 grades in their switchbacks over Stampede Pass before the tunnel was built. Trains of 5 cars were moved over it with a specially built loco on either end. At the time these locos were the largest in the world - Baldwin 2-10-0. An hour and 15 minutes each way. Talk about a boring and dangerous job.
http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/ref/collection/transportation/id/226
An interesting picture IH, specially the turnout??
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
That is what is called a stub turnout. It has no points. The leading rail is "bent" to match either the straight or diverging routes.
trailrider
Well-Known Member
Which is where the term "railbender" or "snake" for switchmen came from.
That would take a bit of heaving and shoving.
