Grade Chart Help

[Edwardus]

Hi

At the risk of sounding very stupid - I have a grade chart of BNSFs Orin Sub and I'm having problems interpreting it. It has mileposts along the bottom, elevations at the sides, however along the top there are various figures, for example 1.00E with 1.25W underneath. Do these relate to grade %s?

If they don't then is there a way I can work out the grade percentages for the chart from the data that I have?

Failing that, could anyone point me in the direction of a grade chart that DOES have the %s featured?

Many thanks for any help...

Ed

[LoneWolfDon]

Yeah, I don't really understand well how the grade percentages work or how to make much sense of them just seeing a % number. But what I do for getting a better mental and visual clue of how steep a grad might be that my train is going over is from the Driver's Guide (F3 key) is to click on the "Grad" button there, which shows a visual line representation of how steep a gradient is.

Also, from watching the speed-indication, I can often tell by if the speed starts dropping or raising more quickly seemingly on it's own accord, that I'm probably going up or down a grade - which is usually a time I may take a look at the "Gradiant" visual representation in the Driver's Guide to get a better idea of how steep and how long the grade seems to be and what's upcoming.

After a while one tends to get a better "feel" for the various trains, routes and tracks and can often anticipate the grades and how to adjust throttle and brakes accordingly. So, with more driving time and practice on the various routes and trains, it does get a bit easier.

[MadMike1024]

If you have the mileposts, and the actual elevation of each, you can calculate the percentage grade for each mile. Find the elevation difference between say, MP112 and MP113 (e.g. 42 feet). Divide 42 by 5280 (1 Mile in feet), then multiply by 100 to get percent.

(42/5280)*100=0.79% Kentucky windage would give you an 0.8% grade.

Hope this helps.

[Edwardus]

Hi

Thanks both, looks like I'll need to get the calculator out....

[sleepyto]

Don't know if you want to spend the money $35, but this site has complete track charts of the Powder River Basin( all subs). And any other place trains run. You might want to check it out either way.

http://www.railfandepot.com/servlet/the ... ion/Detail

John

[Edwardus]

Wow! Great link, thanks very much!

[sleepyto]

You are welcome.