Superelevation of Curves

I want to add that to my layout......the O-90 curves for sure. I can see my PRR  T-1 going in a speed. Thanks for the info.

I would love to see your photos when you get a chance, or better a video.

What about on a double main, do you have to have a grade on the outside before the bank so that they are on the same plane, or do you bank them independently so the tracks are on different planes?

Have them(072); easy to do (gradually shim the outside with thin wood or cardboard,

between the roadbed and the track, ballast covers the shims) - not too high or sharply increasing; careful if you can only see the curve from the inside - hard to judge your handiwork (been there), and no superelevation is better than bad superelevation.

Prototypical; cheap thrills. 

I have been experimenting using N gauge cork roadbed under the outside edge of the ties.  Worked good on a previous layout.  I love the look of mild superelevation when you watch a train ease through the curves.

Art

OK, When in History when did the Railroads start doing this?

I run all Steam and am wondering if there is any need for it.

i have seen lots of photos of steam going through superelevated curves.  i think the N&W did it for the J's.

In model trains it is for aesthetics only.  It is not needed and actually increases the chance of "stringlining".

.....

Dennis

I do my mainline curves, it does look better!

We used 1/8"x1/2" adhesive cork strip from Mcmaster Carr (93305K61) stuck to the outside edge of the bottom of RossBed. Curves are compound Ross 112-104-104-112. 

IMHO it really adds quite a bit of drama to model railroading.  Just look at that picture of the curves Boilermaker1 has!

Clem and Boilermaker - Beautiful job on the superelevation.  I too think it adds a lot of drama to your layout.  You have to be careful not to overdo it, but it really looks great when you get it right.

Art

Superelevation is independant by-track. So, on a double mainline you do end up with the tops of the rails in two different planes.

Gilly

Boilermaker/Clem, very nice pictures. Thank you for posting them.

Clem

Having the dual main line super elevated tracks on two levels is an attractive feature and mimics the prototype arrangement frequently seen in the old photographs.

Looks good. Just be careful to ease into and out of the super-elevation. Long-wheelbase rigid-frame steam (Northern/Texas) might take offense to a sudden shift in track elevation, especially on sharper curves.

I use N scale foam roadbed, half full width, under the outer rail.  The slope on the N Scale roadbed matches the slope on the underlying Homasote main road bed.  What everyone else said about easements in both height and curvature is important. Also what Gilly said about Super Elevation being track by track is correct. You end up with a sawtooth pattern:

Beautiful scene!

Art

I use 37" sections of Gargraves leading and exiting superelevated curves. At the far end (w/o superelevation), I put two screws through the ties. The superelevation starts @ 18.5". I place one screw there at the inside of the curve. This allows a very subtle transition from "flat" to superelevated over 18.5".

Gilly