How to Build a Grade Model Railroad Track

Calculating a Grade

• 1

  Measure your available space so that you know how much room you have.

• 2

  Determine the maximum height you want or need above the basic board level. This will vary from project to project based on scale or space.

• 3

  Calculate the grade based on the following formula using inches as a base unit: height divided by length equals the percentage of the grade. Thus, a 1% grade will require 100 inches of track for every inch of height required. For example, a 4-inch rise requires 400 inches of track at 1%, 200 inches of track at 2% and 100 inches of track at 4%.

Building the Grade

• 4

  Place commercially produced, graduated-riser supports beneath your track along the planned grade, or cut pieces of angled landscaping foam to position beneath the track.

• 5

  Lay in the cork roadbed along the track plan, temporarily securing it with masking tape or a few track nails.

• 6

  Position your model railroad track on the roadbed and hold it in place with a few track nails.

• 7

  Hook up leads from your power supply to the track.

• 8

  Test the engine to make sure it will pull cars up the grade before securing the roadbed and track with glue and nails. Since not all engines are created equal, you may have to modify the grade to accommodate some trains.