Embarrassment

When I titled that last entry "Major Miscalculation" I had no idea how appropriate that would prove to be.

I have to apologize for a HUGE mistake I made in my last posting. Fortunately Gary Hinshaw was kind enough to tell me I screwed it up. When I calculated the grade on the westbound tracks through the helix I used 18.25" instead of 36.5" like I should have.

The total track length of about 401". An 8" rise in 401" is a pinch under 2%.

Gary also provided a formula even I could understand...(Elevation/Turns*(pi*Diameter))*100 = Grade.

So armed with this new knowledge I don't feel as concerned about the engineers on my westbound trains. They will be descending the "west slope" on a 1.99% grade. That isn't nearly as bad as The Slide going east.

We learn by our mistakes.

Thanks again Gary.

Frank Musick
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Lousy Mathematician

Allegheny Eastern Railroad