How steep is too steep?

 Experimentations for model trains climbing grades

I am at the stage of adding the ramp behind my staging yard to climb to the lower scenery level.  This ramp will be hidden, and hard to access, so I thought I would check that my longest train would climb the grade before installing the benchwork that will be extremely hard to fix later. 

The ACT ARHS 2413 transfer train approaches North Jindalee heading towards Cootamundra on May 24th 2002.  I found my prints whilst looking for something else, and I knew the Junee Roundhouse Museum would be interested in 2413, (one of their exhibits), so I scanned the prints for them

Track design

The ramp runs from the double crossover, up to Shepherds.  It is about 6 metres in length

I had drawn these diagrams a few years ago, and doesn't reflect the extra sidings in the staging yard.  But it is good to show the ramp location in relation to the rest of the layout

The ramp location is closer to the wall than the Albury staging tracks.  Click on an image to enlarge

Now, I had hoped to gain 20 cm clearance above the staging tracks, although a 2% grade would only give me 12cm.  I still have the option of extending the grade around Shepherds, and into Bomen, although this being on a curve would require grade compensation.  

So maybe, a 2% grade could be increased to 2.5%, or even 3%. 

This headed me down the rabbit hole of locomotive hauling capacity.

Test ramp.

I made up a 4.5 metre test ramp, and fitted it with 5 lengths of peco flex-track 

Ramp made from 2 lengths of surplus timber.  The blue metal angle was just right to ensure that the ramp would not bend at the join.  I set the ramp angle at 2%

The meaty end of the ramp.  Many decades ago, I made a transister model train controller, and fitted it into a cyclops brand train control, utilising also the cyclops transformer.  It is my go-to DC controller, as the output is smoothed DC at higher voltages. 

Testing the train up the ramp

The first non-dcc loco I located was the Auscsion VLine X class.  

My longest train that I anticipate running, is the 10 carriage Southern Aurora with one or two diesels.

The Auscision Southern Aurora, purchased in 2016.  Each carriage weighs in between 142 and 148 grams - making the whole train just under 1.5kg.  Auscision have rerun this set  

However, when I tried it out with the full train the X class stalled, with wheels spinning.  A reduction of 2 carriages allowed the train to climb the 2% grade.

This was a disappointing result.  

My immediate options then:-

    - Add weight to the locomotive

    - Double Head

    - Reduce the grade

    - Run with fewer carriages

All the above come with some disadvantages.  The double heading option though was the most likely, although that would mean increasing the length of a couple of staging tracks - one at Albury, the other at Junee.

Another suggestion from the NMRA members in Canberra was to try out the DCC Concepts Power base, which was something I knew nothing about.  A link to a video showed a huge improvement in hauling capacity of an Eureka AD60 garratt climbing a 1:30 grade.  WOW.  I ordered a starter pack from Australian Modeller store.

But the delay did allow me to check out the train length, and test some other locos

One loco - length of train is 2930mm.  Add another 210mm for the second loco.

So, a doubled headed Aurora train would need a staging yard siding length of 3.3 metres.  Fortunately, I have a siding that long.  

The next non-dcc loco I chose happened to be a Victorian G class.  This locomotive weighed in at a hefty 558 grams.   The X class by comparison was a lightweight, just 301 grams.    The G class pulled the train up the grade easily.

DCC Concepts Power Base

Australian Modeller must be recommended for excellence in customer orders, as my starter pack arrived within a few days

The DCC Concepts Power base - 2 packets of magnets (12 per packet), and one packet of metal strips, enough for 5 metres of ramp

But how to fit the magnets to the loco?  All the you-tube videos I watched showed magnets fitted under steam locos, none showed a bogie diesel.  One of the on-line forums mentioned about attaching magnets into the fuel tank, but that is not an option with Auscision, as the fuel tank is the location of the lighting effect slide switches.  But there was space just behind the pilot, and below the coupler pocket that would be suitable, if one was able to make a bracket.

Magnets loosely placed at the ends of the loco, behind the pilot of the G class

Making the bracket

I made the bracket out of styrene strip.

The bracket is made with evergreen styrene strips - 20 x 250 thou, and 60 x 250 thou.  The gap for the kadee coupler mount is 7mm, the bracket wings are 6.5mm, and the height is 11mm.  Screw holes are to match the chassis holes.  This bracket could be an ideal 3D modelling project

The X class chassis with the styrene bracket positioned over the kadee mount.  

The chassis mounting screws hold both the bracket, and the body securely

The 3.2mm thick magnet is glued to the bracket with 2 part epoxy glue.  The magnet is positioned to be at pilot height above the track

Testing with the magnets

Well, success.  There is a noticeable magnetic attraction when the locomotive is placed on the rails, and the X class happily pulled the full train - only slowing down at the end of the video when the front of the loco ran past the end of my temporary installed DCC Concept Power base track plates, and started wheel spinning

So, I increased the grade of my ramp to 3%, and again, the X class hauled the train.  So did the G class without magnets.

Of interest was the power draw.  220mA for the X class, and 300mA for the G.

Possible problems.  

The magnets will pick up all manner of ferrous stuff from your track, and cleaning the magnets may be troublesome.  Also the Auscision chassis mounting screws are magnetic, so getting them into the bracket hole might be quite a challenge.  And unsure if the magnets will affect the Kadee operation. 

Summary.  

I will fit the power base metal strips below the ramp trackage, and continue them onto the section of rail track near Shepherds.  Whilst I don't expect too many locomotives will need magnets fitted, having the strips in place will future proof the ramp.

DCC Concepts Power Base is a great product.  And I will probably install the power base under my helix tracks when the time comes to build the helix.

Another purchase

Acquired off the well known auction site, this power supply will provide power for future non DCC accessories

Formerly owned by a radio amateur, this superceded Jaycar brand switching power supply will supply a lot of power for the future layout accessories.  I am testing the voltage with my trusty ancient Tandy brand multimeter.

Until next time, construct another model or two