Suggest this try and see approach as well. Worked for us very well. Be careful though, at train may go up but when coming down a sudden stop may mean a slide on the gradient. Make sure you have something at the bottom end in case it overshoots.
Andrew
>
> >I'm building a new N gauge layout and was wondering if there is a 'rule of
> >thumb' on gradients.
> >
> >I want the track to rise about 5cm in height - how long should the
> >horizontal gradient be to get to this level.
>
> It depends what you're going to run up it. Farish steam locos will
> struggle on even generous gradients whereas my Kato electrics will
> haul every item of stock I own around an S bend that climbs two inches > in four foot.
>
> The best way to find out what your stock can manage is to stick a
> length or two of track on a board, wire it up, and run your stock up
> it until the locos can't manage anymore. However, visually, the longer
> you can get your gradients the better they will look.
>
> Pete
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