07-24-2009, 01:35 PM
Trucklover Wrote:21-3/4" radius for the inner track might work, but the more im thinking about it, the more i think i want to have a little bigger radius then that for the inner. Maybe 24" on the inside, and 28" on the outside. This would allow me to run longer trains down or up on the outside track correct since the radius is wider?
If im reading your calculations correct, your saying that i would have a 2.9% grade right? I could live with that.... lol. 18" between the levels would be better anyways, and if i could get away with going that high without too much more work and headache, then thats what i will do. It should also give me a little more "head" room lol
Yes, it works out to a 2.9% grade. If you increase your radius as discussed above, you will lower the grade. I would also suggest that you use the inner (smaller) radius for descending, and the outer, larger radius for ascending.
In my calculations above, there is 14" between the top of the lower deck and bottom of the upper deck. Then I have added 4" for the thickness of the upper deck. If you think you want the overall climb at only 14", then you will really only have 10" between the decks, which may not be enough. You will however, save one turn of the helix.
Andrew