Argued for 1.75 in superelevation on a 3° curve at MP 142 to trim rail head wear and keep 286k rolling stock gentle on the ballast, and the foreman asked if that meant my coffee rides smoother — statistically yes, if we tamp to ±0.02 in. What’s your funniest durability justification that doubles as beverage quality control?
I use a half-full mug as a poor man’s crosslevel gauge — if the ‘ring line’ on the lid stays under 3 mm after a 10 mph roll-by on that 3° curve, we’re probably within tolerance. Call it the scientific slosh test, though cold mornings thicken the brew and fake a better ride.
I Sharpie a tiny ‘tide line’ inside my travel mug for the target speed on that 3° and do a roll-by; if the slosh stays under it and the lid vent doesn’t chirp, I call the superelevation good — caveat, foam lies, so I test with plain drip. @olivia56 ever try it iced to keep viscosity constant?