Wolfgang Schwanke wrote in :

wrote in :

Hot flash for you; there are only a few places through the Rockies
where you can get a shallow enough grade for trains to make it.

Tunnels and bridges are a good idea.

Regards


Actually, you can "stretch" the grade by using an elongated "S"
pattern to the rails. You do, however, need a wider space for the
track. The key is how many feet per mile (or meters per kilometer if you
prefer) that the track rises. By using an elongaged "S" pattern, the
length of track is greater for a given straight line distance, effectively
lowering the gradient which is what the friction between the wheels and
track require. A good example can be seen on the tracks between Sacramento
and Reno in the area of the Donner pass.

Of course the other solution to gradient is cogging.

--
Marty Shapiro
Silicon Rallye Inc.

(remove SPAMNOT to email me)