LENGTH OF MAIN LINE

[Anonymous]

It takes 90 seconds at a slow diesel speed to complete one continuos loop.
How long does it take on your layout.[:D]

[tstage]

Define "slow"?

[Anonymous]

Well with my digitrax DT400 at 40 my RIV 4-8-4 with 16 cars takes 2 1/2 minutes to make one round on my mainline

[cheese3]

It takes between 30 and 45 seconds. I have a 4 x 8 right now. In the near future when i go digital and build my new layout i guess it will be about 90 to 100 seconds

[tstage]

Joe,

Using my Bachmann EZ Command system at it's slowest setting , my P2K Alco S1 switcher took over 60 seconds just to completely traverse a 60 degree crossing. I'll give you an update later on as to how long it will take to circumnavigate my mainline loop...

Tom

[tstage]

The tally is in...38.5 minutes to make the 4 x 8' circuit!

Tom

[Anonymous]

I think what you should measure instead of the train going around the layout 'slow', measure how long it takes at a set speed... say scale 40mph, that way speed is a constant in the test, and distance and time would be variable. That way everyone could compare exactly how long their mainline is based on the time it takes, not how slowly your train can go... as 1stage pointed out. There's some locos out there that can absolutely CRAWL at slow speeds. lol

[selector]

I may time my BLI 4-6-4 at dead slow on the tenth day in a long winter storm, but not today. So, I just timed it pulling 7 cars at a setting of 40 on the DT400 throttle of my Super Empire Builder, and it took exactly 50 seconds. Oh, and did it ever sound sweeeeeeeeeeeet.[:D]

[jrbernier]

My idea of slow is a maybe 'restricted speed' (15 mph). On my layout I have about 1.5 scales miles of mainline. That is 6 minutes to go a lap......

Jim Bernier

[Jetrock]

I don't have a mainline!

[AggroJones]

I don't know how long it takes, but the longest loop is 35 feet around. If I creep with my Y3 2-8-8-2 it may be a while.

[twhite]

I'll have to time it tomorrow with my Yellowstone. I have no idea how long my mainline is, but I know there's a LOT of it!
Tom[:D]

[Anonymous]

I have no mainline! My layout is a switching layout! So I guess it either takes 1. no time at all or 2.infinite time.

[cwclark]

it takes mine 3 1/2 minutes at a scale 45 MPH to complete the trip throughout the entire mainline ...so 45 mph /60 min = .75 miles per minute, .75 miles per minute x 3.5 minutes = 2.6 scale miles of track... ok...2.6scale miles / 87 real miles = .03 real miles of track .03 x 5280 ft. per mile = 158 ft. of track ...that's a little over half of the distance of a football field .....chuck

[Anonymous]

My Kato RS-2 takes about two minutes to creep around my 4x8 layout's larger loop. I haven't tested my switcher yet, but it can really crawl! I'm guessing it would take it three and a half to four minutes. I'll check it when I get time and let you know. [8D][tup]

[Anonymous]

I did say a slow speed, i meant a normal diesel speed (approx.
35 mph in scale speed.) I appoligize for my error.

[Anonymous]

My Spectrum UP 2-8-0 going dead slows takes about 9 minutes to get around my 5x9s outter loop. Otherwise at normal speed 10-15 seconds.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Not sure yet, my first loop isn't finished. When it is, it will be about 660 feet long. That's 6 scale miles in O. So at 60 scale MPH, that's 6 minutes, but I think 30 MPH would be a better slow speed, so make mine 12 minutes. When complete the main loop will be 1100 feet, so 20 minutes at 30 MPH.[:0][:p][8D]