In the last two weeks I got a little more done on the upper level. I decided to increase the height of the roadbed supports where the track goes over the lower level by 1/2 inch. That gives me plenty of clearance with this car that is taller than all the rest I own.
Since the highest point will be higher, that would make the grade longer (which I don't have room) or steeper. Well that problem was solved when I decided to not try to make the roadbed on the grade out of wood as I have done in the past. I knew I would have trouble making a smooth transition at the bottom of the grade with simple tools and limited skill. I decided to buy Woodland Scenics foam incline sections. Since they come in 2%, 3%, and 4% grades, I decided I could handle 4% as opposed to the 3.7% grade on the plan. If I had a large layout, they could get expensive, but with only two short grades, the cost wasn't a problem. Here are a photographs of the grade already glued down. The paper cutout of the SCARM plan sits right on top of it showing I got the curve pretty good.
I'm going to glue Homasote and cork beveled roadbed on top to give something solid for the track screws to grab. You can see I do have to do a little matching up at tht top of the grade at the last photograph.
Thank you for taking a look!!! Stay safe and healthy everyone!!
