How much actual distance does it take say a medium size train consist to get up to speed (say 40 mph)? Knowing this I could convert to my scale which is N.
A lot depends on track: grade, curves, and any speed restrictions that need be observed. You're talking about several miles to get to 40 mph, perhaps longer. Many layouts don't have multiple miles of track to start with, but take it slow and it'll look realistic.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I've seen NS trains leave Benson siding after a meet and by the 35th car rolled by it looked like they never been stop. Track speed through town is 35 mph.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
A VERY long time ago, I read a road test of a locomotive, done by Car and Driver, I think. They had the 1/4 mile times and the "chart". They also did a pogo stick, by the way (gasoline powered, perhaps?). It's not impossible the magazines are buried in my garage. Which is certainly more convenient than being buried under it, but not by much.
A little research turns up a GG1 and one car (thus: a train) doing a 1/4 mile in 22 seconds at 61 MPH. And 65 seconds to 100 MPH.
Not your typical way freight, though.
Ed
I THINK the Car and Driver review was of the Gresley A3 Pacific.
http://www.trainweb.org/lunarlight/Gresley/Gresley.htm
It helps to be familiar with the C&D writing style for reviews.
Sounds similar to some of the stuff on Top Gear, although I do recall a Car & Driver "road test" of a nuclear submarine.
Wayne
Enzoamps I THINK the Car and Driver review was of the Gresley A3 Pacific. http://www.trainweb.org/lunarlight/Gresley/Gresley.htm It helps to be familiar with the C&D writing style for reviews.
THAT was a fun read. While unintentional, I was amused by the comment that the engine had Walschaert valve gear for its middle cylinder.
I don't think that's the one I saw--I sorta think they used an American diesel. And I'm pretty sure they had that cute little 1/4 mile graph in the lower left of the final page, just like they did for their cars.
For adequate but obscure reasons, I happen to have a model of this locomotive. Perhaps someday it will be rescued from the obscurity of its cardboard box. Inside another cardboard box.
7j43kI don't think that's the one I saw
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