Train tracks inclines

[Ptchnk]

Working on elevated train track with my 7yo for more intricate tracks designs.

Here is a simple design using plates, brackets and ball-join plates.
The highest pillar is about 13 bricks high. The actual setup with a pillar every 1.5 track segment and a reduction of 2 studs (or 5 plates) lead to a slope of about 4.75 degree. I'll see if it works with our trains as i quite like the 24 studs gap between each pillar.

Otherwise, a pillar every track segment with a reduction of 1 stud (or 2.5 plates) would lead to a slope of about 3.5 degree.

Edited January 24 by Ptchnk

[Gioppa]

What i can tell is .. use electric or diesel locomotive, not steam like emeral, becausethe frame is rigid, and when the  first wheels enter the inclined, the motorized wheel don't touch the rail and train stop.

 

[zephyr1934]

Neat idea, and it should lead to some fun physics experiments (don't use your prized $900 MOC, but don't hesitate to use a City train set). I really do mean "fun" though, you and your child can do the engineering to figure out how heavy the locomotive might need to be to get the train up the hill while also exploring the consequences of weight on the down hill side. If they get that, add in a curve right before the upgrade (more drag) or right after the down grade (fun crashes). Back in the 9v era I THINK lego recommended no more than 1 plate rise per 16 stud track segment, but that's where engineering experiments come in, that could be part of the fun with your child- what slope is too much? One suggestion, if the 2 stud step works, it might work even better with a transition of a single segment with a 1 stud climb (so: flat, to one section with 1 stud climb, to many segments with 2 stud climb, then a single section with 1 stud climb then flat again).

 

If you are a fiendish parent, you could even do the steam engine problem that Gioppa warned against being aware of the problem that will occur.

[XG BC]

to chime in here i have experimented with this stuff aswell as a kid, and back then the maximum that felt okay with a powerfunctions train Motor was like 1 brick per straight track piece. doesnt the 9v motor have less traction than the pf/pu one? that way legos recommendation would make sense.

Edited January 24 by XG BC

[Stereo]

45 minutes ago, XG BC said:

doesnt the 9v motor have less traction than the pf/pu one? that way legos recommendation would make sense.

They don't carry batteries so they might trend to lighter tire loads, which limits tractive effort, they should have similar rubber tires on the track.  Then again the rubber gets older and harder.

Edited January 24 by Stereo

[Ptchnk]

On 1/24/2025 at 4:19 PM, Gioppa said:

What i can tell is .. use electric or diesel locomotive, not steam like emeral, becausethe frame is rigid, and when the  first wheels enter the inclined, the motorized wheel don't touch the rail and train stop.

The picture was mainly to share the design of the pillars and the height of the last one (13 bricks).

Of course, the angle for the onset and end of the slope pour have to be lowered to achieve smoother transitions with the flat tracks. The design of the pillar allows a minimum height shift fo 2.5 plates between 2 pillars. Basically a 3 segments section with a total elevation of 5 plates (=2.5 plate per 1.5 tracks) to keep the same spacing between pillar should work. This should correpond to a 1.5+ elevation per track segment which is still quite reasonnable.

 

On 1/24/2025 at 5:30 PM, zephyr1934 said:

Neat idea, and it should lead to some fun physics experiments (don't use your prized $900 MOC, but don't hesitate to use a City train set). I really do mean "fun" though, you and your child can do the engineering to figure out how heavy the locomotive might need to be to get the train up the hill while also exploring the consequences of weight on the down hill side. If they get that, add in a curve right before the upgrade (more drag) or right after the down grade (fun crashes). Back in the 9v era I THINK lego recommended no more than 1 plate rise per 16 stud track segment, but that's where engineering experiments come in, that could be part of the fun with your child- what slope is too much? One suggestion, if the 2 stud step works, it might work even better with a transition of a single segment with a 1 stud climb (so: flat, to one section with 1 stud climb, to many segments with 2 stud climb, then a single section with 1 stud climb then flat again).

My son already started is own crash tests especially down hill. We ended up banking the curve down hill to manage the gain in inerty.

Edited January 28 by Ptchnk

[zephyr1934]

18 hours ago, Ptchnk said:

My son already started is own crash tests especially down hill. We ended up banking the curve down hill to manage the gain in inerty.

Excellent!!

[SD100]

I've ran a 1 plate to two plate transition up to 14 bricks high and City trains had no problem. Haven't tried it with heavier trains though.

SD