Model Railway & Scale Modelling Math: Scale Conversions, Scale Speed, Gradients & Helixes, Curve Radii, Track Plans and Fast-Clock Timetables
Plan a model layout that looks and runs right: convert real sizes to common model scales, work out scale speeds, gradients and the climb of a helix, check curve radii against train lengths, count track pieces and costs for a plan and write a fast-clock timetable, with every cell checked as you go.
One-time payment · lifetime access · lessons, labs, exam and certificate included · no subscription.
About this course
In this course you plan a fictional club layout with a spreadsheet. You convert real objects into model millimetres for ratios from 1:220 to 1:45 and work out the scale of an unknown model. You time locomotives and turn centimetres per second into scale km/h, calculate ramp gradients and the run needed to cross one track over another, and size a helix by track per turn, gradient and whole turns. You check curve radii against fictional guideline minimums, calculate coach overhang, count track pieces and costs with SUMIF and SUMPRODUCT, run a fast-clock timetable and finish with an accessory current budget and a cost chart.
Lessons
- Scale Conversions: Real Sizes to Model Sizes and Back for 1:220 to 1:45 Pro
- Scale Speed: From Centimetres per Second to Scale km/h and Back Pro
- Gradients: Rise over Run, Height Gained and the Length Needed to Cross Over Pro
- Helixes: Track per Turn, Gradient per Turn and the Number of Turns Pro
- Curve Radii: Guideline Minimums per Scale, Too-Tight Curves and Coach Overhang Pro
- Track Plans: Curve Piece Lengths, Piece Counts per Type, Total Length and Cost Pro
- Fast Clock & Timetables: Layout Time vs Real Time and a Departure Board Pro
- Capstone: Accessory Current Budget, Layout Cost Plan and a Cost Chart Pro