Who makes the slowest switcher ?

[Roger Bielen]

I had a K-line A-5 that really creeped, now I've replaced it with a Lionel 0-8-0 that I can really throttle down. These were/are both TMCC units, I've never tried them in conventional.

[FJ and G]

I can only speak to MTH's SW-9, my favorite locomotive in the stable (love switching).

I can confirm the Chief's observations that it goes about 1 smph (well, given Elliot's caveat). But unless your track is perfect and perfectly clean, it operates more smoothly at about 2 smph.

I once timed how slow it could go around my old layout in my 20x20 room. Took about 7 or 11 minutes (can't recall which as it was long ago).

Some of us ought to set up a race to see which switcher can go the slowest over a measured course!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Guys, true slow speeds aren't measured in scale miles per hour. That's just a sales gimick from MTH. A top quality engine should run smoothly at well less than one scale mile per hour. A scale mile is 110 feet, divide by 60, and you get just under 2 feet per minute, 1.83333 FPM to be exact. Real crawl is more like one or two inches per minute. That's slow!!!!

[Dr. John]

I've got an elderly Lionel 0-4-0 that won't move at all. Is that slow enough? [:D][;)]

[spankybird]

Tim - I have to agree with Chief. I have several MTH PS2 engine, and in command mode they will run a 1 smph, up or down grades. Even in conventional mode they will run at about 3 smph.

I believe any of the newer engine with speed control will do about the same.

tom

[Big_Boy_4005]

Tim, I don't have any of those engines, but in general to have good low speed operation, you need 2 things. A quality motor, probably at least 7 poles on the armature, and good gearing. The modern can motors really make a big difference.

Atlas has always made some of the smoothest and quietest engines in HO and N. All are great low speed performers, so It stands to reason that the same engineering would go into their O gauge offerings, especially since they also sell 2 rail versions.

None of the other 3 rail manufacturers really had any reason to be concerned with low speed operation until Atlas came along. Personally I can't imagine that a Williams engine will out perform Atlas at low speeds. I have nothing against Williams, I just don't think that is their focus.

As more and more 3 railers demand more realism from their trains, low speed control will be more of a selling point than it is today. Low speed has always been a selling point for HO and N scale locomotives.

[ChiefEagles]

Tim, I would guess that MTH with PS2 in command will crawl. I've seen MTH move at 1 SPMH. I've got some big Lionel SD90's that will crawl with Odyssey on.

[Anonymous]

A friend brought over an Atlas switcher this weekend, and man will it crawl. How do others compare to it ? I think the Atlas takes 036 to turn, which is a little tight on my upper level. Anyone have the Williams, and how does it compare...Thanks..Tim