I’m looking at increasing the length of my layout by adding passing loop by running it along the side of the original layout from a junction on the original loop, then around one end and back around the other side to joint up with and existing dead end siding. I want to raise the track slightly in the middle to create a slightly higher level and interest with it being on an embankment?
What’s a realistic gradient. Is it 1 in 10 for HO? Thanks Dan

Is that really true? 0,35% is equal to 3,5 mm per meter.

3,5% is more normal, but a bit steep, generally, try to keep the gradients under 3% Märklin pillar system is equal to 3,33% Roughly 6mm per piece of track, 180 mm. With locomotive and six bogie cars, that is no problem, avoid narrow curves, R3 and R4 are good if you use C-Track.

I run M-Track and my gradients are 5 mm per 180 mm, 2.7% Works with Märklin 3054 Br103 with Hla, and ten tinplate cars, I run R2 upwards and R1 Downwards.

Henrik Schütz

1-2 % sounds like a great ideal, but I doubt most of us have the space for that. I can imagine that most H0 folks don't have the space to get a rail line up the 10cm climb needed to cross over track with clearance, within the space they have. But one can split the difference (if that's an option) and have one line go down at 3% and the other go up at 3% so you get a net 6% and can cross over the top of another track within the space needed. Now in your case it sounds like you just want visual variety, and no crossing over or under other track is needed -so sticking to 2% may be just fine

No, of course it is not true ;-)
I accidently messed up everything I said in that post; Mixing up % and º, and even loosing a factor x10 on the way. The "3,5" value is also not right because I remembered wrong. (Might come from 3,5mm per track piece or some other arbitrary unit.)
So all-in-all; Impossible to do it worse, I think. lol.

I checked the helix in the basement. (which is where the steepest grade is; the aforementioned R4 going DOWN. It uses R5 going up, wich will then be of a slightly lower grade)
Full circle of R4: 3639.8 mm
Height between each layer; 110 mm
Gradient; 3,0% going down.

Full circle of R5: 4043.8 mm
Gradient; 2,7% going up.

Hello just seen this topic.
I am a vintage MArklin collector and use marklin "M" track. I have two two levels on my layout. I use both R2 - 5200 and r1-5100 radius curves. In one section I have eight 5200 curves rising 100mm in 1800mm 1:18 = 5.5% slope and a long track at the back of the layout that rises 50mm in 1800 0.5:18 = 2.7% slope.

The stepper gradient is because the track has to cross over track and Catenary on the lower section. The Catenary adds height of course.

I Run the standard 01 Pacific 3048 with 4 tinplate coaches on both sections of the layout with Transformer set at just over 100 and they negotiate the slopes comfortably. Any speed less than that and they stall.

Most of the 3000 series larger engines including 44 class 2-10-0, 23 class 2-6-2 all work well on these gradients. However you do hear the gears working as they lift their loads up the gradients.

The later models with plastic bodies and diecast chassis do have a bit of a problem climbing the 5.5% slope so I have lighter loads for them. The crocodiles, and aligator and German E44, type locos work the gradients with ease but the Swedish 3030 has a bit of a problem with traction because of the more rigid wheel base. Of couse small shunting locos such as 3000 tank and teh E63 Electric shunter require lighter laods suchs three tinplate 4 wheel coaches or waggons to comfortably work the gradients otherwise they skid.


My last comment is that steep gradients are hard on tyres asmy locos on numerous occasions have thrown tyes and require replacements frequently.