grade problem and I need to find a solution

[Rasputin]

So I built this suspension bridge and I need to get the train on top of it. I will have hills with grades on each end but I think the grade will be a problem. If I use the max of 4% I need to get to 27inches height. I think the hills will have to be like 50 feet long to get the right grade

[savvas]

have you ever noticed how a road reaches the top of a mountain? not in a direct line but in a bunch of them changing direction in 180 degress in horizontal around an imaginary vertical line. like a snake climbing a pale...
                 <--
         <-------
<-------
------->
         ------>
                 -->
                 <--
         <-------
<-------

[playmofire]

Unfortunately, using a zig-zag grade and this causes extra friction as the sides of the wheels press harder against the rails in the direction of the outside of the curve and this reduces the amount the loco can haul.

The simple answer is to make the bridge lower.

[bonniebeth]

You can also have the train somewhat elevated throughout the diorama, built up on styrofoam "hills" and never dipping to floor level. You'd have to have any stops built up to the same level, but most of your dio could be in a valley so that it could go straight on the floor. Or, I know you don't want to, but the dio could go on tables and the bridge can span a space between the tables, with the river being on the floor. In fact if the space is big enough to walk in, that can help you in setting up, to be able to reach the middle of the diorama.

[Pynedor]

You can also have the train somewhat elevated throughout the diorama, built up on styrofoam "hills" and never dipping to floor level.

That's what I was going to suggest! I think that would be your best option to keep the grade down - just make the layout at the bridge level with a valley or river under it like bonniebeth said.

[Rasputin]

The simple answer is to make the bridge lower.

but then the ships can not fit under it 

You can also have the train somewhat elevated throughout the diorama, built up on styrofoam "hills" and never dipping to floor level. You'd have to have any stops built up to the same level, but most of your dio could be in a valley so that it could go straight on the floor. 

I was thinking of this but that is a lot of work and I do not have a lot of time 

Or, I know you don't want to, but the dio could go on tables and the bridge can span a space between the tables, with the river being on the floor. In fact if the space is big enough to walk in, that can help you in setting up, to be able to reach the middle of the diorama.

I do not have enough tables. I only have about a dozen big tables and that is not enough

[bonniebeth]

Hm. It's a tough one, for sure. Since this is a train show, it has to really be mostly about the train, so that makes it tougher. Otherwise I would say, why not have a few tables at one end, with a space between them, making up a mountain, you could use paper to make a steep cliff side going from the table to the floor. The train could run on the tables, making a loop on the tables on one side of the bridge, cross over it, make another loop, and cross it going the other way. There could be a town and a mining camp up there on the tables. Then the river could continue on along the floor and there could be indian camps, forts, etc, set up on the floor. Does that make sense? I don't know if I explained it well.

[schluss]

or use two trains....
one on the higher level
the other one on ground level.

If you want to foul the spectators, simply park one train behind the scenes if the other is viewable....

[bonniebeth]

That's true, one train on the tables and one on the ground would work for that purpose.

[Rasputin]

That's true, one train on the tables and one on the ground would work for that purpose.

but then there is a hill all the way around the dio. 

I think I will jack hammmer a whole in the floor