Hi. I am new to this, and have been given by my family a 6 wheel loco, all wheels chain-powered by a Laura moped engine, with a 12v battery for starting the engine in the driving truck. I am about to start planning a track and want to have some idea of the maximum gradient I should allow on the straight and also on (probably 12 foot radius) curves. I guess that this engine will have more power (whether or not it can use it without slipping) than a 5 inch small steam locomotive, and I would hope to get an 0-4-0 steamer before too long - so my gradients need to be acceptable for that, too. I have read useful posts about track beds and some about cuttings....but, even using a whacker plate/compactor to ram down earth from the cuttings, can the embankment thus formed support a track bed without waiting 3 years for the formation to settle?
I guess there is as much art and luck as science involved but would be most grateful for any advice. Thank you.