TO SPEED OR NOT TO SPEED

[Anonymous]

Two parallel Main Lines with superelevated curves
Two Japanese Shinkansen Bullet Trains
One travels "Eastbound"
One travels "Westbound"
Two high-end, wide open throttles
It's certainly impressive!!!!!!!!!!!

The only time I had trouble was when someone bumped the corner of the table and they were passing each other. Not fun!!!!

But I only run like that when I need a little more excitement than I normally have in life. Coal drags and long freights stay under 50 scale MPH and Passenger operations are usually limited to about 75-80 scale MPH.

[Anonymous]

I run a branchline, but I dont like my trains to crawl....don't like to go to fast either.

[johncolley]

Jacktal, et al, pick some buildings, signs, scenery elements that are about a foot apart. Our scale, HO, is 1:87, so 1 foot =87 scale feet. It just so happens, (lucky us), that 60 mph = 88 feet per second, close enough! 1 foot in 1 second = approx. 60 mph, 1 foot in 2 seconds ' 30 mph, 1 foot in 4 seconds = 15 mph, 1 foot in 8 seconds = 7 1/2 mph. Anything in between you can approximate, eh? Once you get a feel for what your trains are doing you will be able to go by throttle settings or even by eye. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Sloooooooow Downnnnnnnnnnn!
Most modelers dont have a concept as to really how fast you are going as it is. Case in point, at one of our recent gatherings, one of our club members produced one of thse digital speed detectors and we set it up on the layout. as each engineer approached, he was asked to guess his speed. Pretty much everyone was wrong![:o)] What most engineers thought was a 50 m.p.h. clip, turned out to be 75 or 80 mph!
As far as testing a new loco at high speeds, I wouldnt do it. IF it derails, not only could it get damaged, but also think of what damage a pound or so of train crashing into a craftsman type line side structure could do![:(]

[Anonymous]

When I was younger, it was all or nothing.

With some of the really tight curves out there, I am usually reluctant to let the Hammer Down unless I have taken a few laps around to see how the track is.

A friend of mine likes to run his at top speed. Add a 3% grade and a shifting curve that is varies from 22"to 24" in spots on both a up climb and a down climb I always say a prayer when the train goes thru that particular spot.

It is credit to excellent track work that he is able to do this. Most of the derailments and problems happen below 30% of top speed anyhow.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I was at an operating session last night, for the first time in 20 years. That amount of maturity has gotten me to slow down. There were a few times when my guide said, "you can go a little faster." There was only one time he said "slow down", as I was going through town at about 60 SMPH. I don't think I ever had the throttle at over 50% even when I was climbing the hills.

There is no challenge in making model trains go fast. Making them go slow is the real trick.[8D]

[Roadtrp]

I usually run my freights at about 45 mph scale speed, sometimes going up to 60 for a short time. My passengers I usually run about 60 mph with occasional runs up to about 80 scale mph.

I have a 'beater' Life Like GP38-2 that I will occasionally hitch up to a short 7-car freight and let it tear around the track a few times at full throttle. I've never calculated the scale speed, but I would have to guess it at somewhere above 180 mph. I've never had it derail... not around curves, over switches or anything.

Maybe this just applies to N scale, but I've found that if I keep my track, trucks and wheels all in top shape I don't derail at any speed.

[:)]

[camarokid]

I run all my engines just fast enough to pull the train up the grades which means they go pretty quick on the level. Since I like to just watch them run this is good enough for me. But I will confess there is one engine I simply run wide open and knowing where it will derail I wait for it and catch it before it leaves the rails. Ain't it great! Have fun.[;)]

[PennsyHoosier]

Slowing down comes with age...

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PennsyHoosier

Slowing down comes with age...

Tell me about it.[:0][:p][;)][:D]

I'm only 43, but if I go any slower, I'll be going backwards.[swg]

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by PennsyHoosier

Slowing down comes with age...

Tell me about it.[:0][:p][;)][:D]

I'm only 43, but if I go any slower, I'll be going backwards.[swg]

Hopefully your directional light works! And if Einstien's theory of Relativity was correct we should be getting smaller as we slow down. Not much of a theory!!

[trainboyH16-44]

Blast it until it flies off a curve!
I do the same thing with my proto 2000 SD45 when cleaning my track. I hook up 3 walthers trainline cleaning cars to the SD45, and run it full speed around 24" radius curves, and the don't derail! Cleans the track in a hurry, but don't leave it unattended.
Trainboy

[johncolley]

For those who care, as I do, there is an easy way to calculate speed roughly. First pick somethings on your layout that are actually 12" apart. We in HO are fortunate because our scale is 1/87 so 1 real foot = 87 scale feet. This is convenient because it so happens that 60 miles an hour = 88 feet per second. Wow! So as you pass these pre-measured objects all you have to do is count seconds! 1 sec= 60 mph, 2 sec= 30 mph, 3 sec = 15 mph, 4 sec = 7 1/2 mph. Go a little faster if you want or a little slower for switching. Once you get the feel of it you will know how your speed is. And maybe enjoy operating realistically. John

[Anonymous]

I regularly run my german style freight and pax trains at full speed, probably equal to about 150mph or more..

[mcouvillion]

I run on a layout that has a "speedometer". Many of the trains are kept to 30 mph by its calculation. I have two pinhole cameras, one in an engine, the other loose. From the camera's perspective, 30 mph is still way too fast on the layout. At a speed that looks realistic and reasonable in the cab, from the side the train is creeping along.

Remember, we are at 1/87th (HO) of the size, so the distance covered per unit time has to be 1/87th too. Trains that race along are not right. Real railroaders do most everything extremely slow, because the huge mass they move has tremendous force as its speed increases. Our trains aren't slot cars.

Mark C.

[Bikerdad]

SPEEEEEDDDDD!!!

N Scale Kato California Zephyr, pulled by a pair of PA1s, flat out, on a 2x4 oval. Watch it for more than a few minutes and you'll get dizzy. [}:)]

[Anonymous]

If the goal of a model R.R. is replicating the "real thing," then scale sppeds should probably be our first priority. My proudest moment is when I can run a consist "dead slow" without stalls or knee jerks. Is there anything more "majestic" than a 4-6-6-4 pulling away from a coaling tower ahead of a long mixed consist? Even extra fares "varnish" passenger trains must heed the speed limits posted for their express runs. Anything faster is relegated to the realm of "slot car" track action. Fun for some but it sure ain't railroading. No disrespect intended! Do "whatever turns you on." Enjoy.

[BRVRR]

Everything I have from BB Athearns to PK2 and Mantua GPs, Bachmann and BLI steamers has run the BRVRR at full tilt at least once. Its a good test of track work too! So far, everything has made it without coming off the rails. BUT, for most sessions, passenger trains run at 50 and freights at 30-45 scale miles per hour, timed and throttle settings recorded.
It's human nature. You gotta see how fast it can go!

[SpaceMouse]

Lil guy will take on all comers. Lightning fast and holds the rail better than any slot car.

[steveblackledge]

i would tend to run up to but no more than 50% as my curves are 25" to 35" radius, i had a new Hornby A3 Pacific a couple of years ago and its scale speed was pushing 200 mph (twice as much as the prototype could achieve) so this was restrained to about 35% of full throttle otherwise it flew off like a rocket

[Anonymous]

As for my bachmann SP 4-8-4 & my rivroissi NYC 4-6-4, I pu***hem to the limits
(Even though my athrean coach kits loose some windows) ! As for freight 40
scale mph is good.

[Anonymous]

My rivroissi Big boy can go 70 scale mph up a 2% mini-grade with 30 cars in a
tow, now that's power at it's max. I operate HO scale.

[Anonymous]

Go extra slow in the yard, & extra fast on the mainline!

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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

I also have some steep cliffs on the SP&E. On my layout, the areas in which a train may derail at high speed, sturdy conifers form a barrier to prevent trains from falling off to the floor. So when I occasionally crank 'em up, and even if they leave the rails, trains wouldn't be able to fall very far. Derailments barely ever happen here. The trees are just insurance.

[AntonioFP45]

I enjoy the tough challenge of having locomotives accelerate and decelerate in "prototypical" fashion.

On my upcoming layout the speed limit for passenger trains will be 79. freight 65. But just like on the prototypes, certain "hot shot" passenger trains were permitted to "peg it" at 85-90 mph.

On an ideal layout, I could take a lashup of 3 or 4 freight engines, couple onto a long freight train and then slowly stretching the train until all of the slack is taken up. After a clear signal; starting off at a slow speed and eventually building up to the maximum allowable speed.

Helps add to the "illusion" that the locomotives are hauling some serious tonnage!

[:D][;)]

[railroadyoshi]

I usually run 20%, because I enjoy the slow pulling, and I am sure that my locos will remain safe. Plus, if i'm operating on another's layout, gotta keep myself in check! People usually egg me on to pull up the speed because i'm holding back trains behind me. From there, it becomes me frantically playing a game of cat and mouse as I try to keep myself reasonable distance apart...

[trainfreek92]

my new N scale layout i will try 2 keep the speed on the mainline top speed of 60% but i will try out new engines at full speed just 2 see what they can do[:D]

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

slow and steady[^]

[Anonymous]

On straight track to z max but in yards or arund curves sloow