TO SPEED OR NOT TO SPEED

[eastcoast]

[xx(]
I have an HO scale Bachmann ACELA, and only run it at NO MORE than
60%.[8D]

[Anonymous]

I have a few N-Scale Japanese Bullet Trains. Our club rules specify that we can't run more then 50% at shows.

In the club room, I have let it all out tho...

[Anonymous]

Interesting question this. I usually run "fast" trains at reasonable speeds - probably about 60 - 70% of their scale top speed. If you run too quickly, apart from potential derailments the detailing on your models will not be seen, also, running at top speed on exhibition layouts is definately "out" as it makes your carefully crafted model railroad look like a kid's first train set!

[Anonymous]

I run it until Scotty say's "Captain I can not give you any more speed, she's gonna break apart"!

[Jacktal]

My feeling is that our model locos can run at speeds way beyond what I would call "realistic scale speed".Even on a large layout,wich I don't have by the way,pushing them too fast will result in a much smaller looking layout.On my pretty small layout,I rarely run my engines over 20% or so,because higher speeds make my layout look even smaller as they will go the whole pattern in a matter of seconds.

There probably is a formula that permits calculating "scale" speed,accounting for the prototypical speeds versus our much smaller scale engines speeds,but what about a "realistic scale speed" formula that would take into account a third parameter,say layout size or time for a completed pattern?Just a crazy idea..........

As a matter of fact,I don't at all care about formulas,scale speeds,etc....What I like is to look at my locos at eye level,see them coming,passing....and then going,and the longer it lasts the happier I am.

[METRO]

I remember my first train ride and how the liner just flew around the curves in southern Ontario. Also I have seen people nearly fall over from the wind created on platforms by Express GO trains blowing through stations. I run slightly faster than scale speed on my HO scale commuter layout, and while I don't run trains at their limits durring sessions, every time I get a new engine I see how fast it can sprint before putting in service.

[eastcoast]

Yes I agree to this, Safety is always my priority and the fact that I try to
not burn out my motors.

[Anonymous]

I'am not into passenger trains but if you insist I 'll run it about 40% not that it really matters.Eastcoast you must sit around and just make up polls for us to vote on.This is not NASCAR or the NHRA Its Ok too pu***hem but whats your point after you get the land speed record on the rails.Unless you are trying to see if the manufacture is telling the truth?Go ahead Eastcoast brake them in real good.Just post the elasped time or give us top end speed ha ,ha ha

[eastcoast]

ok tarwheel38, good come back.
I understand your point but why be comparing this to racing?
I really do in all honesty take very good care of my equipment.
The question,yes,was farfetched a little but I felt it sparks imagination
in some. And I do realize that few would actually go full speed
including myself.

[detting]

Speed depends on track conditions and curve radius. Even 22" radius curves will slow me down.

For a Bachmann, I would work up it up to WOT (Wide Open Throttle). For brass, 60% or so would be fine.

Later...

[Anonymous]

Bah if you don't run it at 100% at least once, somethings wrong. course that's only once, after that slow it down to about 70-80% and make sure on an HO scale make the curves very very wide and the straighst very very long for that 100%+ run

[GDRMCo]

Just tried to see how fast a kato bullet train would go and the recording from the speedometer read 200kmp/h

[Anonymous]

I know the French TGV sets have hit 300 km/h

[Anonymous]

For those that run 100% throtle my question is what is the bank % on your curves? 10%, 15%, 20% or more? [:)]

[cp1057]

When I was a preteen I measured the length of the track in my layout and calculated the scale length. Then I hooked up my Athearn Hustler which would go like stink to a caboose and pronounced it the 'Executive Express'. From my calculations it was doing about 200 scale mph before it derailed and rolled several times across the scenery.

More recently I built a pulse throttle from scratch and ran a longish freight train at turtle speed. I asked my wife for her opinion and she said it looked like the train she had to wait for that morning.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

[bluepuma]

% of Throttle doesn't mean anything, esp. N scale, with various locos, they can all top a scale 70+ - I don't turn my stereo all the way up either, just to the point it sounds good, goes harsh, then back down a bit.

I run well above scale speeds for short bursts, but mostly keep my trains at 40-60 mph, the passengers would be all on one side of the car in real life... I like to corner fast, like my car is on rails, liked to feel the 4 wheel drift in my car, have to cool it during the snow and ice season tho'

I keep the speeds down on my passenger trains, I don''t want them crashing off the track, messing up anything. I remember the ATSF through Arcadia, CA, guess they ran mostly 45-50 along Colorado Blvd, that is my most common speed except on the straights. Train chasing, except Amtrak in the Illinois countryside, says 45-55, so we can catch up to those, but Amtrak is more like 70-75 on the straights w/o crossings. In Japan rode the Bullet Train, felt like about 120mph, the speedo in the snack car was over 120km per hour, maybe up to 180-190K, a bit past 108 mph.

[vw-bug]

Sadly I'm one of those silly fellas who has to try everything out to the max now and then. But with DCC and speed tables I'm finding myself spending a lot more time researching the real thing to find the true to life handling and speed capabilities. I'm trying to make my Locos just like the real thing..."only smaller"

[AggroJones]

My layout isn't big enough nor has curves wide enough to waba***rains. The max radius is 24". So my top speeds are somewhere between 30 and 40 mph.

[Jetrock]

A 6' shelf layout isn't enough roomt to build up any speed, most of my rolling stock is low-geared switching locomotives that don't go that fast flat-out, and I maintain a 25 MPH speed restriction on my mainline, since it is running down a residential street!

[Anonymous]

I run slow through a few of the club turnouts that have given me problems before I try to test for top speed. My new Metro-liners came with narrow wheels and they fell into the gap at the frog. The replacement wheels work better but the cars keep me from running the locomotive at top speed.
It seems that the young guys like to run high speed Santa's specials or long trains even though they make life miserable for the other members.
Lindsay

[Anonymous]

Why test the limits???
A motor will still likely burn out if misused, even if the box
"hypes" it up. Who makes your trains anyway?? There are no
real items that would say this on the box. You must have a layout
as big as Chicago to run that fast. Besides, do you care about it
derailing and damaging it??? Think about it man. The question was
kind of dumb. Does anybody REALLY TEST THESE LIMITS ?????

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure about the danger of burning out motors - they're probably designed to withstand abuse at the hands of kids (who tend to run locos flat out for long periods). Mind you, I recently bought a Dapol "Pug" (A tiny little OO scale steamer, about the size of one of those "critter" switchers) and was surprised to read the advice in the instructions not to run it at high speeds for long periods - suppose it's logical when you see the size of the wheels (tiny).

[Anonymous]

Speeding makes the motor hotter and increases the chances of a burn out. And track imperfections become exaggerated to the point where they cause a derailment.

I keeps my "high speed" to 40mph or so.

[ckape]

Oh come on, you've gotta open up that throttle for mainline running every once and a while. You don't necessarily want to keep it running that fast for a long time, but that doesn't mean you can't do it at all.

[sparkingbolt]

When operating on my switching layout I stay around 35 % or less, but if someone (say, me) wants to see just how fast an Athearn GP 35 can cut laps around a 10X12 room, I take a slow lap to check everything, then let her RIP!!!!

It's pretty wild seeing and hearing the loco and a dozen or so freight cars tearing along at such unrealistic speeds. And all my cars have metal wheelsets so you definately hear it. That's not standard practice however. I don't have any passenger equipment. You asked!

[Fergmiester]

After breaking in the Loco as per instructions. I'll let the beast go for broke! Love those super elevated curves and then I'll hook up a load and listen to the clickety-clack at key spots. That's when I know I have a winner!

I normally run at 60%, again it depends on the Locomotive as some seem to want to earn their wings.

[tomwatkins]

Mine is a twisty mountain railroad. Prototype speeds seldom exceeded 45 mph for any length of time. So I tend to hold the speeds down. Depending on the combination of motive power and train length I might get up to 60-65 percent throttle but that would be to get a long heavy train over a hill.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[mcouvillion]

When operating, I have been with guys who thought they were running the trains at what would be prototypical scale speeds. We thought they were slow enough. I recently installed a color camera in an engine. From the cab perspective, we still run the trains way too fast! A realistic-appearing speed from the TV view is creeping along on the layout. Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to get there, but the real railroads have a lot of "Hurry up and wait".

Yeah, but every once in a while I want to open it up all the way and see what its got! It's funny, but I taught my kids to run the trains slowly and not race them. When they were small and I wanted to run 'em fast, they used to correct me and remind me to run 'em slow. You know they hear you when your words come back to haunt you.

Mark C.

[twhite]

Uh-uh. I've got a mountain line with steep cliffs and curved viaducts over deep canyons and 2%+ grades. Speed is not only inessential to my operating scheme, it's downright DANGEROUS! I usually run my freights at 25-30 mph, and the passengers at 30-40-mph when curveature and grades allow. I run 100% steam, and I like to see those rods moving at something less than a blur. Funny thing, when people come over to watch while I'm operating, it's not the kids that ask "How fast can you make it go, mister?" it's the ADULTS! Go figure.
Tom

[Anonymous]

Crank that [censored] up[tup] I would let the train fly if the scenario was right!