I have a layout plan involving The Big Four Bridge, this east-west line was built as the Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad which ran from Galion, Ohio to Union City on the Ohio-Indiana border. It was built in conjunction with the Indianapolis and Bellefontaine Railroad thus providing a route from Cleveland and the East to Indianapolis, and later St. Louis. In 1864, the two were merged into the "Bee" Line: the Bellefontaine Railway, in 1869, into the first "Big Four": the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railway, and in 1889, into the second "Big Four": the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway. In the early 1920s, this railroad relocated its tracks from downtown Sidney to the south edge of the city over the then new Big Four concrete arch bridge. Early in the twentieth century, it was leased by the New York Central System. Later the Big Four was taken over by the Penn Central, then Conrail, and finally CSX Transportation. As you can see in the attached photos, its a long and high arch bridge still active with CSX and many others. It is very impressive to watch trains roll over it, almost scary as the bridge has aged significantly.
My question is in modeling this bridge on a shelf layout in N scale, what is the best grade percentage and height that would coinside with the rest of the layout. Mind you this is just a quick, basic draw-up, the track plan can and will be adjusted according to bridge specs. the layout will pretty much be built around the bridge, industry placement and other trackage is not permenant in this drawing. (but I do think its pretty cool for a green horn!!
My question is in modeling this bridge on a shelf layout in N scale, what is the best grade percentage and height that would coinside with the rest of the layout. Mind you this is just a quick, basic draw-up, the track plan can and will be adjusted according to bridge specs. the layout will pretty much be built around the bridge, industry placement and other trackage is not permenant in this drawing. (but I do think its pretty cool for a green horn!!