Preceng

Designing a helix for a new layout. For the life of me I can not find a table that lists the effective slope induced by various radii. In other words, the smaller the radii of a helix, the more friction on the pulling force, thus a 2% slope at a 22" radius actually pulls like a 3.5% slope - or something. I remember using this table before. I believe it is from a J Armstrong book. Any help is welcomed Thanks

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doc-in-ct

The John Allen Rule of Thumb

Compensation Factor = 32 divided by Radius in inches

Effective incline(grade) = original incline/grade plus the compensation factor.

So 2% incline on 30in radius   CF=32/30=32/30=1.07   Effective incline/grade  = 2+1.07 or 3%

Alan T.
Co-Owner of the CT River Valley RR - a contemporary HO scale layout of Western & Northern CT, and Western Mass.  In the design stage; Waterbury CT.

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