ruling grade

[Mountain Man]

2% is pretty average, but nowhere near accurate for prototype railroads, particularly in the Rockies.

Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad, narrow gauge from Florence to the gold field at Cripple Creek and Victor up the Phantom Canyon, was a 4% rullig grade and a 6% climb over the rim of the canyon!

I have found that most locos we modelers use can easily handle steeper grades. And I found a way to "cheat" if necessary. ;-/