Home >> Hobbies >> Model Railroads

How to Make an Grade for a HO Scale Model Railroad

A grade is simply the angle of change in elevation from ground level to a higher or lower level. While grade measures the angle from one level to the next, slope is the measure of the amount of change over a given distance. Slope is expressed as a ratio: the change in height divided by the distance. It is then converted to a percentage. For example, a 2-percent grade means your track rises two inches over a 100-inch stretch. Most model railroaders use grades of between 2 and 4 percent.

Things You'll Need

Newspapers
Wall sizing mix
Water
Large plastic bin for mixing
Five gallons of water
Plastic sheets or other semi-rigid materials, such as mesh or metal screen
Staple gun
Correct gauge track
Landscaping materials such as sisal fiber, Spanish moss
River pebbles, small twigs, coffee grounds, fine sand
Glue or other adhesive

Instructions

- 1
  Mix wall sizing and water according to package directions. Cut or tear newspapers into strips and again into small squares. Mix with liquid wall sizing and water until the paper has a clay-like texture. If you do not wish to use papier mache, you can use clay.
- 2
  Determine what grade you need to get from the ground level to your intended elevation. Create an armature by bending screen, metal mesh, cardboard or plastic into the size, shape and angle that you want. An armature is just a fancy word for a semi-rigid form to hold the clay or papier mache in the correct shape until it dries.
- 3
  Place the armature where the grade is needed. Staple it in place. Cover it with several layers of papier mache or clay. Allow the papier mache to dry completely. Use a spirit level and a protractor to ensure that the grade makes the correct angle. Add or remove papier mache until the correct angle is achieved. Make sure that the space for the track is still completely flat and smooth.
- 4
  Landscape the graded area to match the rest of your layout. This might include bunched burlap soaked in fabric sizing, starch or glue; coffee grounds, sand or small pebbles for dirt and rocks; and clear acrylic that has been agitated as it sets for water. Experiment with various substances to find out what works for you and what does not.
- 5
  Lay the tracks across the newly graded area and get your trains rolling again. Run your trains over the grade several times, at various speeds. Observe whether your train makes it past the grade without derailing. Adjust speed as needed.

Model Railroads