Scale Speed

[Anonymous]

So basically for N scale :

# of inches driven in 5 seconds * 1.818181818181 = # scale MPH

[Roadtrp]

For 'N' scale, 33" of travel in 5 seconds is exactly 60 scale MPH.

(33 x 12 (to make inches per minute) x 60 (to make inches per hour) x 160 ('N' Scale) divided by 12 (convert inches to feet) divided by 5,280 (convert feet to miles)) = 60.

Dontcha just love math?? [:D]

[BR60103]

There is a rule of thumb that the maximum speed for a steam locomotive in miles per hour is the driver diameter in inches. This would work out to a maximum number of revolutions per minute for any steam locomotive. (The math is left as an exercise for the student.) Now you just have to count the driver revolutions!
I think that an accurate sound system would give a good idea of speed.

[Anonymous]

I use a cheat formula for my HO loco.

Divide the distance(20', 30' 40' or whatever) by the time it takes that loco to travel.

Say 20 seconds for the 40'

So, 40' divided by 20 seconds=20 times 60=120MPH

Not too professional but good enough for me.

The speed of one foot per second is equivalent to 60 scale miles per hour.

[Anonymous]

try this:

10 actual feet traveled in this many seconds____HO scale MPH
593.18______________________________ 1
197.73______________________________ 3
118.64______________________________ 5
84.74______________________________ 7
59.32______________________________ 10
39.55______________________________ 15
29.66______________________________ 20
23.73______________________________ 25
19.77______________________________ 30
16.95______________________________ 35
14.83______________________________ 40
13.18______________________________ 45
11.86______________________________ 50
10.79______________________________ 55
9.89______________________________ 60
9.13______________________________ 65
8.47______________________________ 70
7.91______________________________ 75
7.41______________________________ 80
6.59______________________________ 90
5.93______________________________ 100
5.39______________________________ 110
4.94______________________________ 120
4.56______________________________ 130
3.95______________________________ 150
3.39______________________________ 175
2.97______________________________ 200


Jay

[trainfan1221]

You got me on this one. I judge by what looks about accurate. How fast you operate also depends on what type of railroad you model. For example, a short line won`t have trains going much above 30, I`d say.
Another problem is that model locomotives vary in speed so much that it can drive you nuts! I have several where you can`t use more that a third of the dial on the transformer before you are in Acela range. I can`t operate most of my engines together.
I`m sure somebody has a system, maybe DCC clears this up.

[JeremyB]

Hi guys

When I operate my trains I can't tell exactly how fast the freight train is going. Is there a way to find this out. I think that Im going a prototyical speed but i would like to know for sure.

PS How fast would the Avg. freight train be going?

Jeremy