What about a tall grass thatch

I don't take credit for this but I have seen in past a grass clump made of stiff bristles that are tall enough to "catch" the axles of rolling stock and prevent runaways, but not so stiff that it derails locos or rolling stock.

Given you over weight it makes that even less likely.

The catch looked like a tall grass growing between the tails up through the ties.

You could also use a clear strip of acetate or similar in same fashion

These solutions won't stop a rolling freight car but when spotted and positioned should do the job well. 

HTH

what you need is...

A set of Gasior Brakes!  https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/handbrakes-with-super-magnets-12191791

and here is another thread about holding trains on a grade.

There were lots of easy

There were lots of easy grades as well. One reason the N&W bought the Virginian was the superior route with much better grades. Once that was done 3 units could pull a loaded 200 car train on the prototype.

Why a grade?

Why have a grade on the industry tracks?  Make them level with the middle of the track That may cause a steeper grade going up from the main to the industry tracks on the low end and a steeper grade down from the main to industry tracks on the high end, but that really doesn't matter.  A 1% on the main and 2% on the industry lead isn't necessarily a problem.

The only place there will be a problem then is on the main if you stop a train on the main and work the mine, leaving a portion of the train on the main.  That would require a "handbrake" keeper.

 "Do you think the layout

I think mountain grades and helper operation should be worked into the design from the start if that's the desired goal. A short grade segment is not gonna simulate miles of heavy grade but might be fine for an area with small ups and downs such as a watershed. I'd build the layout to look and operate as I want and not worry about the decoder since the fads come and go and by the time the layout is finished there'll be more control choices......DaveB 

Replies

Lots of good comments so far. Good things to mull over and process. Thanks everyone. 

Dave's replies made me think of another option. I'm embarrassed to suggest it, but here goes. What about a virtual grade? By that I mean I keep the layout upper deck level as it, and if I'm using the Full Throttle Loksound decoders feature, I operate the train "as if" there is a grade when there really isn't. Full bore throttle on one side of the virtual grade, and coasting with dynamic brakes on the back side of the virtual grade.

Obviously you lose the visual appeal of an actual grade, but you get to have the "fun" of operating the train as if there is one. Does anyone or has anyone ever operated their layout in this manner? 

Virtual grade

Personally, I like the idea Paul.  On most of our layouts, it's not like a grade is so severe or our trains are so long as to seriously test our power, so usually, we have to rely on just knowing that it's there, even if we can't feel it.  This would really be no different.  You could add evidence of sand on both sides to remind crews of the grade's existence, and to further suggest it visually, you could even cut your fascia at a slight angle to make it appear as though the track is climbing away, then falling back.  

Perhaps you could find room for a helper pocket track on both sides as well, if the grade is felt to be severe enough.  Or maybe just the remains of them, left over from steam days?

Paul many grades were in

Paul many grades were in tunnels and some were very long. It seems that you actually modeled that on your layout. Never mind they are circular the sound effects should be impressive and when coming out of the tunnel the train will still be on the grade so you really won't need a virtual grade!

@ Joe & Rob

Joe,

I'm so thankful for your reply. I thought I was totally nuts in suggesting a virtual grade. For such a distinguished modeler as yourself to find some merit in the idea gives me hope. Maybe I'm not as deranged, or should I say derailed, as I thought!

Rob,

Bingo! I think you hit the solution right on the head. That makes so much sense, and I don't have to pretend as with a virtual grade either. As consists come out of the tunnel from the helix, they'll still be pulling hard to get the rest of the train up the grade. Once most of the train is visible on my upper deck, the engines can throttle back and coast.  As they prepare to leave the visible upper deck they can kick in the dynamic braking to prep the train for the long downhill grade that awaits them up ahead in the next helix.

You're a genius Rob! It's as if the whole upper deck is the "summit" of the grade rather than just a little piece of the visible track work. You've saved me a lot of reworking on the layout! Now I don't have to worry about grades on the mine spurs either. Thanks buddy! You're the best!

Glad to help Paul.

Glad to help Paul. Incidentally quite a while ago you mentioned drawing up a plan for my layout space. I just wanted to let you know I think you already have to a certain degree. I keep looking at ways to shrink my layout space to make it more affordable to do. It will be in a separate structure from the house. A Texas basement which is usually a large out building.  So I will be using the basic shape you came up with and the multiple helix feature so as to have a walk in design. I will stretch it into a longer space and make the minimum radius 42 inches, better for backing long trains, although I will design it for trains normally 50 cars long and capable of 100 car trains for some occasions.

I will substitute city for mountains and have lots of steel industry modeled. Mountains will be just to the rear of the visible layout and the aisle will be the river. Between you and Randy and John you have really shown me some of the views I am going to try for on my layout. Interestingly Randy and John are modeling areas to the South and North of my chosen area respectively and you are depicting an area to the South and East.

One of the changes I will be doing is having two levels of staging so that I can have the number of tracks to store the trains I hope to run. And I will add a connection from one helix to the other near the top level so North will always be to the left when looking at the layout.

I am really impressed with your layout and it's execution. There have been others that also inspired with their layouts as well.

Gasior Brakes

I live in Minnesota too, so if you want to visit the Splitrock Mining Company Paul, let me know. We can compare moving black dirt vs. brown dirt. 

Why not move the grade to the

Why not move the grade to the rear of the layout on a cliff. Bring the yard to the front of the layout on the flats below the cliff.

@ Rob & all the Modelers on MRH

Glad to hear you're getting a little inspiration from my layout. Makes me feel like I'm paying you back a bit for all the inspiration you've given me.

I must say that's what I've always liked about MRH. I might not post a comment on every thread I read. But without fail, I come away from each and every one with some new railroading insight or inspiration that makes my layout better. So thanks everyone!

Car Holder

Hi Paul,

I'm late on this thread and it seems you've solved all of this, but if you ever do have a siding on a grade, I found this on MRH, credit to Ray Schofield.  I think it's a very slick way to hold cars, plus it has some grungy, industrial, visual appeal, and it adds play value as well when spotting cars.  Sort of like setting hand brakes.

Like you, I planned all my yard and industry trackage flat, but there are grades in between.  I kept this photo as a reminder in case I find I need such a thing when I start operating.

Car holder

That looks cool in yellow.   Those ground throws can also be used for derails, very handy items....DaveB

@ Michael

Michael,

What a neat idea with the ground throws! I was thinking about mounting servos under the mainline and sidings as needed, that when activated would push a wire up to hold cars on the grade by their axles. Your idea is a lot less fuss and muss, and cheaper to boot! Thanks!